This is one movie that screams for a modern remake. In Color - shot completely on location in Crete or a beautiful Greek island. Stick to the book and just tell the story with nice scenery, great acting and fantastic music.
Director: Alan Parker
Soundtrack: Vangelis
Basil: Colin Firth or Pierce Brosnan
Zorba: Antonio Banderas with older make-up
The Widow: Rachel Weisz (too young?) Isabella Rossellini (too old?)
Madame Hortense: Meryl Streep
Anybody have any ideas?
Dear Kathy, what in your opinion is wrong with theoriginal film that you think it should be remade? I think the story was told quite well in the original. Its appeal remains universal..and Vangelis? Why would you want to change the soundtrack? If people need colorful scenery and current stars like Antonio Banderas to fully appreciate this film, then shame on them.
shareNice ideas, but just for fun.
And Banderas??? C`mon!
Maybe Pacino, man!
Firth would fit better than Brosnan, although I don`t like him much. The others seem well enough!
Nice game.
Why take a chance and ruin a good thing?
Great films are unique.If someone wants to do a remake after Zorba...then,let's leave him alone.After all,since Shakespeare wrote Hamlet,how many times the play was made,remade,born,burried.My opinion he has 99,99% chance of doing a good film..get it?!!
shareI saw Mr Quinn in both Broadway production of Zorba, and this great movie role. I think no one would compare with any Orginal and it is best to leave the classic talent to rest; nobody could match the character Anthony Quinn was born to do.
Hey boss, did you ever see a more splendiferous crash
Zorba
i'll just say...no
teach me to dance....will you?
While I like the idea of remakes; watching other actors' versions of what's already familiar, I do believe that no one else could ever come even close to Anthony Quinn's perfection as "Alexis Zorba".
Certainly not from among today's best actors, who, although they could "do" the role, theoretically, - they'd simply never approach their incomparable predecessor.
To speculate/fantasize, a bit:
If career-eras weren't a problem, ie, if a Wells-ian "time-machine" existed and were available to gather the best from all of film-making's long history, - perhaps the closest in dramatic stature and physical impressiveness (to Quinn and to "Zorba")
might include such as Clark Gable, Victor Mature, Gregory Peck, or Walter Matthau, Jack Palance, Jeff Chandler (though a little below the right age, at his untimely death), or Walter Pidgeon, each in their respective middle-age, - and perhaps adapting their speech, somewhat, so as not to seem too "American"). I'd include Burt Lancaster, of course, - except that he actually WAS considered, but turned the role down.
-All this, bearing in mind, though, that Quinn would remain the Ultimate ideal in the role, as he proved to be.
For the role of "Basil/Nico", a young Tyrone Power, Montgomery Clift, or Peter Strauss (of tv-miniseries fame); "Hortense" - Anna Magnani or Ingrid Bergman.
"The Widow" - Sophia Loren.
- Just some fanciful ideas, - nothing more.
Unfortunately,
The "Powers That Be" would probably choose Banderas, Di Caprio, Bullock (as "Hortense"!), and J-Lo (!). So much for today's casting-counterparts!
Remake Zorba the Greek as often as you want. But don't try to replace Quinn. He is unique, in this role and in many others.
[deleted]
Well, I think it could be interesting to remake it, so kudos on that idea. But I can't say I agree with most of your choices. Vangelis? He's so new agey and insipid, I agree with another poster - there's no reason to replace the amazing music in the original soundtrack. I do think the audio track on the original film is a bit old, so a newer, crisper recording could be found (and this is hardly a problem: Theodorakis is the most recorded Greek composer in history, and there are many amazing contemporary bouzouki players who would jump to do the honors).
As far as my two bits for roles, I definitely think that Pierce Brosnan (over 50 at this point) is far too old to play a 'young writer'. Even Colin Firth is too old. My ideas and reasons why:
Director: it'd be good to get a director who can do cinematic, the way Kubrick did, but who also can capture the magic of Mediterranean provincial life, and someone patient enough to show more than 5 seconds of singing & dancing scenes. Personally, I think the director of the French film My Father's Glory did a fine job of that. - YVES ROBERT
Basil: someone young & British, who can do 'proper' but who can also do lighthearted and sensitive - JUDE LAW
Zorba: JOHN RHYS-DAVIES (remember him as Sala in Indiana Jones??). He can definitely do both serious and jovial, and does accents well. He's got the large frame and can pull off 'larger than life' in terms of personality.
The Widow: SALMA HAYEK (after seeing her in Frida I'm convinced she can do non-glam and can pull off the quiet intensity of the widow, but she may be too pretty...)
Madame Hortense: need a slightly older actress of the full-figured/voluptuous type but with good range. I think Streep is a little too angular physically, and despite her obvious thespian talents, I can't imagine her doing something as crazy/zestful as 'Bouboulina'. Most of the best actresses I can think of are too young as well. Kedrove was in her mid-40s when the original was made and I'm trying to think of someone in that general age range. My pick - JULIETTE BINOCHE
you need a young guy for basil. like late 20s, early thirties. thats neither firth nor brosnan (older than zorbas character!) for the widow, i think the only one who can play her is Monica Bellucci. i dont know if you can replace quinn as zorba, thats a toughie. streep is too young and still attractive for madame hortense. someone older would do... but wait a sec, why would anyone want to remake this classic flick??
share