Deadline reports that Warner Bros. is bringing hot vampires back with a remake of 1983’s The Hunger. As you may or may not remember, depending on your age and level of David Bowie obsession, that film starred Bowie, Susan Sarandon, and Catherine Deneuve in a tangle of dangerous vampire attraction. It was, as Deadline succinctly put it, “atmospheric and sexy,” and based on a novel by Whitley Strieber.
True Blood executive producer Angela Robinson is in “final talks” to direct the film; she most recently directed 2017’s Professor Marston and the Wonder Women. Jessica Sharzer, a producer on Amazing Stories and writer on American Horror Story, is writing the script.
The Hunger is about a centuries-old vampire, Miriam, who takes human companions, using her blood to extend their lifespans—up to a point. (It’s a very unpleasant point.) When her lover, John, begins to age rapidly, he seeks out a scientist named Sarah who specializes in rapid aging. But as John grows weaker, it’s Sarah and Miriam whose lives are entangled.
The 1983 version was director Tony Scott’s first feature film, and the trailer is really something. Deneuve played Miriam; Bowie was her companion, John; Sarandon was Sarah, the scientist. The film wasn’t exactly a smash hit (Roger Ebert called it “an agonizingly bad vampire movie, circling around an exquisitely effective sex scene”) but has maintained cult status for decades. It’ll be interesting to see who gets cast in the remake; these are some big, iconic shoes to fill.
There’s no word yet on production schedule or release date.
Without David Bowie, what’s the point?
@1. Lara: You say that as if Tilda Swinton weren’t a going concern! (Also, la Deneuve & Ms. Sarandon are still with us; it might be interesting to work one or more of those beauties into a story that, in many ways, operates as a study on ageing and the fear of ageing).
@2 Okay, valid point, both regarding Tilda Swinton and the lingering presence of Deneuve and Sarandon, both of whom are just a little immortal in their looks.
Now I’m tempted to drag Tom Hiddleston back in for the Bowie role…
Man, Hollywood will do literally anything to avoid making something new, won’t they?
I wonder if the original holds up, or is it cringy? I still remember the scene Ebert referred to.
As far as a new version… True Blood and American Horror Story as a pedigree doesn’t sound good. I’m guessing it will go camp.
I remember liking “The Hunger” in 1983, largely because it was a horror film that was NOT A SLASHER FILM and didn’t have sex-crazed teenagers getting killed by a masked man in the 25th rip-off of “Halloween.”
I watched “The Hunger” maybe a dozen years ago and thought it was okay. Not as good as it could be and as I had remembered it, but not bad either. (I think some air went out of the movie after Bowie’s character died.)
What on earth is the point of this?
Ann Magnuson is still with us too!! Even tho her part was tiny she’s an amazing all around artist. I’d be interested to know if she’ll be involved in any way.
Personally I have had it with hot, tragic vampires!
Will Bauhaus cameo again? I can’t think if another band that could pull it off. Maybe NIN covering Bauhaus. Maybe.
Dang it, Hollywood, there are new vampire stories out there!
Why can’t we have the twisting tale of The Lesser Dead (Christopher Buehlman), or the heart-tugging story of Motherless Child (Glen Hirschberg), or off-the-beaten-path tale of Fat White Vampire (Andrew Fox)? What about the snarky, clever Reformed Vampire Support Group (Catherine Jinks)? Stop remaking perfectly good movies, people!
If they’re really going to do this — and I’m not sure why — I vote for Anna Paquin and Kate Mara as the female leads. Not sure who can take the David Bowie role.