Car Movies & TV Shows Hollywood Has Remade, But Shouldn’t Have
Hollywood loves taking classic car chase movies and remaking them. Sometimes the results are good, but usually not. In fact, many Hollywood remakes tank after opening weekend, with just cause – how can you honestly do-over a classic like Vanishing Point or Death Race 2000? But occasionally, a redux brings in higher box office numbers than its original. Check out our list and voice your opinion!
Gone in 60 Seconds
The original 1974 version of Gone in 60 Seconds is not only a cult car movie, but also may be one of the first independent movies – produced on a small budget with H.B. Halicki writing, starring, directing, producing and even doing his own stunts. The original is famous for trashing 93 cars in 97 minutes, 2000′s remake, starring Nicolas Cage and serial adopter Angelina Jolie, was a much larger film – featuring a big name cast, lots of sexy import vehicles, and violent Michael Bay audio/visual drops. At least both movies feature their own Eleanore cars.
Vanishing Point
1971′s Vanishing Point, starring Barry Newman, Cleavon Little and a naked, big bushed chick riding a motorcycle, ranks right up with Bullitt as a historic car chase film. A Cult Classic, Vanishing Point takes place in and around a 1970 Dodge Challenger on its way from Denver to San Francisco. A TV movie version was released in 1997, starring Viggo Mortensen. Both acting and stunts in the update were less than memorable.
Dukes of Hazzard
One of many popular television series to make it on the big screen, The Dukes of Hazzard is best known for Catherine Bach’s ass The 1969 Dodge Charger – General Lee. Bo and Luke Duke (as well as their cousins) spent 7 seasons as a throne in the backside of Boss Hogg in Hazzard County. In 2005, Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, Southland Tales American Pie’s Seam William Scott and singer Jessica Simpson drove The General Lee onto the big screen in a film adaptation, featuring The Bandit himself, Burt Reynolds (who makes several appearances on our list) as Boss Hogg.
Knight Rider
Another classic TV show starring a hot car, Knight Rider Turbo Boosted into our homes weekly on NBC from 1982 until 1986. Several Movie of the Week sequels have been made since, and last year NBC decided to bring back KITT in the form of a Ford Mustang voiced by Batman Forever’s Val Kilmer…this show is just full of YUCK. Is nothing sacred??!?
Death Race 2000
Death Race 2000 was a Mad Max-like post nuclear fallout cult film featuring monster cars. Each driver scored for killing pedestrians, and higher points for running over babies and old farts. Death Race, the 2008 remake starring The Transporter’s Jason Statham, is a disappointing update set on a dilapidated NASCAR prison track with lots of flashy explosions, but no long lasting impressions.
The Blues Brothers
Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from God – and in order to carry it out they’ve purchased a 1974 Dodge Monaco Police Cruiser. Aside from being (almost) invincible, The Blues Mobile can pretty much fly, avoid most collisions, and take you shopping through JCPennys. In 2000 a sequel was made…but with a thin plot (and not-so-entertaining soundtrack) Blues Bothers 2000 was pretty much a watered down, family friendly version of its predecessor.
Car Movies Hollywood Should Not Remake (but probably will)
Bullitt
Bullitt’s Ford Mustang and the chase scene featuring it (through the hilly streets of San Francisco) has become so popular that not one, but three special edition Ford production models (1968, 2001 and 2008 year makes) have been produced in honor of the car. Talks of a remake have circulated for decades, but for now all we have to go on are B-movie knock offs starring Steve McQueen’s son, Chad.
Smokey & The Bandit
Smokey and the Bandit may be one of the best films to ever feature Jackie Gleason, and is without a doubt one of the only good films with Burt Reynolds. This booze-running Southern Comedy spawned two forgettable sequels and a very short lived TV series (The Bandit, 1994) starring a fresh faced kid driving a (ugh) Dodge Stealth, remember those things? Well kids, rumors abound that Craig Brewer (director of Black Snake Moan & Hustle and Flow) is set to direct a film entitled Mother Trucker – based off Smokey & the Bandit.
Cannonball Run
Burt Reynolds, in his third appearance on our list (that guy sure loves to drive) starred along dead singers Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. in this cross country racing farce. Two sequels to the film (Cannonball Run 2, Speed Zone!) exist, but no words on a remake…yet.
Mad Max
Post Apocalyptic patrol officer Max witnesses the deaths of his partner and eventually his hot Australian wife and adorable some by leather chap wearing outback psychopaths. Mad Max and its sequels were praised for their dystrophy views of the future, and for insane car stunts. Star Mel Gibson has been interested in doing yet another sequel, and a possible rebirth of the original feature has been discussed.
Well said? Great information, keep up the great work!
I agree, some of those car movie/TV remakes are just wrong, bad or just a plain waste of money. lol. Most Hollywood car movies nowadays aren’t that great anyway, unless you wanna just look at fancy cars and ignore the movie in general.
It is very hard to do a remake of a classic show and have it sit well with those who loved the original. Thanks for the post!
The author of this needs to get his head checked and STFU. “ugh” to a Dodge Stealth? Although technically an import, those car were technological marvels for the early 90′s and had options in them still not found in new cars today. Coupled with amazing looks way ahead of their time, a 300bhp or 320bhp twin turbochared engine (depending on what year), electronic controled suspension, Getrag German Transaxle, 6 or 8 way automatic adjustable leather seats (depending on what year), heated electric mirrors, and active exhaust it was a great car at a decent price. Hell, the Stealths still look better than most cars today and they’re 15-20 years old. The only regretable think is they lost demand and went down with other greats such as the Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 300ZX, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 (same car as Stealth), Acura NSX, etc.
you just cannot beat the original….best cases in point
Gozilla
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