MovieChat Forums > I, Claudius (1977) Discussion > HBO + BBC2 Teaming to Re-make I, Claudiu...

HBO + BBC2 Teaming to Re-make I, Claudius.

posted 13 years ago by efurcolo
48 replies | jump to latest

I don't know if this has already been brought up inside another thread, but I didn't see a new one about this yet.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/hbo-bbc2-new-make-deal-to-turn-robert-graves-novel-i-claudius-into-epic-miniseries/

EXCLUSIVE: HBO has teamed with BBC2 to acquire the rights to turn the Robert Graves historical novel I, Claudius into a miniseries. The mini will be exec produced by BBC Worldwide Productions' Jane Tranter and Anne Thomopoulos, who were executives producers of HBO's Rome. The deal ends a long series of twists and turns for the rights to a book that was previously turned into an Emmy-winning 13-part miniseries in 1976 by BBC. In that mini, Derek Jacobi turned in the role of a career as Claudius. The book and mini gave a glimpse into the power, madness, murder, backstabbing and debauchery that was part and parcel of ruling-class Rome. It is seen through the eyes of Claudius, who was content to be the butt of jokes and hide his brilliance behind a stutter and a limp. Because he was never perceived as a threat, Claudius was never poisoned as many others in his circle were. Claudius outlasted them all, and became emperor in 41 A.D.

The feature rights were long controlled by In The Name of the Father helmer Jim Sheridan, but suddenly those rights were shopped in 2007. It looked like producer Scott Rudin beat out a competitive field of suitors to pay $2 million for the rights. He had Oscar-nominated The Departed scribe William Monahan ready to write it and Leonardo DiCaprio ready to attach himself to star. But the deal collapsed when Sheridan successfully challenged the claim in Ireland. By the time Sheridan finally bowed out, Rudin was no longer interested because he had moved on to another Roman Era epic, the movie adaptation of Stacy Schiff's book Cleopatra: A Life, which has Angelina Jolie ready to play the Egyptian queen and David Fincher keen to direct her. Others flirted with the property, but the story is so big that it became clear that a miniseries was a way to get everything in. That opened the door for Tranter, who pursued the property for a decade. HBO has feasted on episodic period dramas, from Rome to its current run of Game of Thrones.

While BBC controls the original miniseries, the HBO/BBC2 production will primarily be based on the two books Graves wrote on the subject and not that earlier mini. There is I, Claudius: From the Autobiography of Tiberius Claudius Born 10 B.C. Murdered And Deified A.D. 54, and Claudius The God: And His Wife Messalina. No elements have yet been attached, but given the caliber of talent that pursued the property, I bet it will be formidable. The rights deal was brokered by AP Watt in London and Liza Wachter at the RWSG Literary Agency.

[–] spqrclaudius 13 years ago

Part of me is excited that a new generation will be exposed to the power and excitement of "I, Claudius." But part of me feels that this is like remaking "Gone With the Wind."

[–] OnlyRocknRoll 13 years ago

God, NO!! Not another inferior remake!! Why don't they just play the original on a station that we can all see without having to pay more than we aleady do for what used to be free television. The more we pay, the more adverts, the more we pay the more inferior quality.

"Go ahead. Go ahead and skin that smokewagon and see what happens."

[–] gingerwanderer 13 years ago

Agreed. Leave it alone! The next generation don't need a new version, the version that exists cannot be bettered! I don't like the idea of this wonderful series being forgotten about just because there's a "new" version out there. Do another series based on Suetonius' Twelve Caesars, by all means (start with Caesar and go all the way to Domitian, an episode per emperor), or make a TV series based on Colleen McCullough's magnificent "Masters of Rome" series, but leave I Claudius be.

[–] efurcolo 13 years ago

Well, I'm exited for it. I think HBO has a GREAT track record with their shows, and I have faith that they'll do a good job with this as well. Also, even if it isn't good, that doesn't make the original go away. It will still be there, so I don't see any problem with this.

Plus, they aren't trying to re-make the show, but basing this on the Books, the same way the 70's TV show did, so this will be it's own thing.

[–] anniebel 13 years ago

Nothing can top the original, so I don't see the point of a re-make.

[–] spqrclaudius 13 years ago

Creating magic isn't so easy. The plot of I, Claudius is wonderful, but it's not enough to guarantee an all-time classic. Just look at the crappy series "A.D." for comparison's sake, and even the recent BBC radio adaptation of the novel. What made the miniseries so wonderful was (1) Pulman's incredibly witty, urbane script and (2) the strength of the leading performances by England's best Shakespearean actors. I'm sure HBO's I, Claudius won't be horrible, but when you set out to remake one of the masterpieces of world cinema, you're walking on thin ice.

[–] spqrclaudius 13 years ago

(I have to admit, though, that I'd like to see a Roman epic with American accents. Everything since... "I, Claudius" has used British accents as an equivalent for "Latin." It would be funny if this show follows a convention cemented by the original series. Better cinematography would be a plus as well. But it's all about the strength of the character actors, and finding opportunities for humor amid all the scandal and gore.)

[–] foolforfilm 13 years ago

Filmmakers have used the British to play Romans long before I, Claudius. Many examples can be sighted, but to point out just one, Quo Vadis (1951). The only American accent in the cast is Robert Taylor (Marcus Vinicius) who's generally considered the weak link in the chain.

[–] qvvern 10 years ago

Yes they should do a remake of the series. It is from 1939 and nearly bored me to death. A great story but all of it is outdated it just can't keep up with todays movies and therefore I see no problem in remaking the series so a new generation (as myself) can enjoy this masterpiece.

[–] angmc43 10 years ago

Yes they should do a remake of the series. It is from 1939 and nearly bored me to death. A great story but all of it is outdated it just can't keep up with todays movies and therefore I see no problem in remaking the series so a new generation (as myself) can enjoy this masterpiece.

I agree that I wasn't a fan of the 1930s Charles Laughton version (although I like older films). It was interesting to see an adaptation made at the same decade when the book was first published.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (2212087) 10 years ago

I'm sorry, but I don't know if you're being sarcastic, but I thought the Charles Laughton version was never finished. Am I completely wrong in this? Wouldn't be the first time.

Thanks.

[–] angmc43 10 years ago

Maybe, maybe not. The poster above me referred to a 1939 version, so I presumed he/she was referring to the Charles Laughton version, which was a few years earlier.
Although the film was never finished, the filmed footage still exists and was put together in a documentary called THE EPIC THAT NEVER WAS, hosted by Dirk Bogarde with interviews by Robert Graves, Flora Robson (Livia), Emlyn Williams (Caligula), Merle Oberon (Messalina), and director Josef Von Sternberg. The footage is:
-Claudius, Caligula, and Livia coming to a public ceremony to cheering/laughing crowds. I suppose this was their intro scene.
-Claudius at his farm, informed of Tiberius' death.
-Claudius meeting Caligula, who reveals his godhood.
-Caligula at the Senate, introducing his horse senator (offscreen).
-Caligula engaging Claudius and Messalina.
-Claudius's inauguration speech.

Of course, you probably know all that. However, I feel that I can still judge the footage regardless of the incompleteness of the production.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (2212087) 10 years ago

Thanks for that. Yes, I have seen it as it was an extra on my DVDs of "I, Claudius". I wasn't overly excited by it as I'm not a huge Charles Laughton fan, but I thought the documentary was an interesting curiousity. (I suppose that last is a redundancy).

I thought you were perhaps being sarcastic to the person who compared this to the unfinished mishmash of the 1930s version.

[–] Venus-25 13 years ago

I agree. This could be quite a Roman farce...

The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.

[–] jimmygude 13 years ago

-----or an unwitting Greek tragedy!

[–] youngian67 12 years ago

HBO's Borgias was an improvement on the original BBC serial which was a bit of a mess, but remaking I Claudius is pushing their luck.

[–] raunka 11 years ago

The Borgias is actually by Showtime.

[–] hewnent-154-797499 13 years ago

How can they mess w/ perfection !

[–] nephihaha 12 years ago

It would be nice to see I, Claudius go outside occasionally.

---
It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] WebBeachBoy 13 years ago

Errrr .... well it is already a TV mini-series innit !! BBC 1976

Thank goodness we have been spared Angelina Jolie and Leonardo di Caprio as Claudius and Livia !!

This is rather like keep remaking Pride & Prejudice.

[–] pert990 13 years ago

I hope this production doesnt suffer the notorius "curse"

[–] alfa-16 13 years ago

Shouldn't it be I, Clavdivs?

And won't it just be Rome 3?

[–] efurcolo 13 years ago

The subject line was copied from the article, and I couldn't care less if it's spelled wrong, you and apparently everyone else still know what it's about.

Since you're such a stickler for correctness, wouldn't that be Rome "Season" 3? To my knowledge there's only been one show called Rome, not 2. Also, Rome was awesome, and that would be a good thing in my book.

[–] alfa-16 13 years ago

Not really intending to be pedantic. In the dawn of time, before Internet Forums, there used to be a BBS in the UK called cix, which served the same purpose. The argument over 'Claudius' (on the DVD box set) and 'Clavdivs' (on the programme titles) went on for about ten years!! I wondered if there were any veterans lurking.

[–] efurcolo 13 years ago

My apologies then, as I misinterpreted your tone. I'm aware of the different spellings, but wasn't concerned about it when I named the Thread is all. :-)

[–] biggiesized 12 years ago

I'll keep an open mind, but I hope they don't try to dumb it down for the masses.

[–] cnot3 12 years ago

It probably won't be topping the original in terms of quality, but the rights to the story are in better hands with HBO than anyone else. Rome was excellent, so we can hope that HBO will do the original some justice.

[–] Venus-25 12 years ago

Some justice. Better than none.

The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.

[–] GrigoryGirl 12 years ago

Remakes suck, even if HBO does it.

This would be as bad as the film remake of Brideshead Revisited, another great miniseries that didn't need to be remade.

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 12 years ago

I, Claudius could indeed use some improving. I hope to God there is no Caligula eating Drusilla's baby this time.

[–] angmc43 12 years ago

Why do you see that scene needing improving?
If your argument is about historical accuracy, keep in mind that I, CLAUDIUS is based on a novel of historical fiction. Which means this remake will also go the way of adapting historical fiction. Which will mean they will go with the 'Caligula-is-Damien' characterization.
If your argument is about sanitized taste, well, we are talking about HBO...
If your argument is about 'I don't like that scene', well, that's your opinion. I personally feel that scene is one of the best in the series. When I want to give an example of 'less-is-more', this scene is it.

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 12 years ago

I angers me cause their History Channel keeps stating it as fact for some idiot retarded reason.

[–] angmc43 12 years ago

That's understandable, but I would rather blame that History Channel program than I, CLAUDIUS. Heck, that channel's 'Movies in Time' historical discussion on the series (back in '96) disproved that scene.

[–] Squeeth2 12 years ago

You can't trust the hacks at COMbbc with quality material like this!

Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.

[–] greenegg 12 years ago

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Why can't people leave their dirty little mitts off these classic series? Such remakes have always been shamefully horrid. I have yet to be impressed with any HBO series, and the dear old Beeb has been off its game for years. I'm watching the original series for the umpteenth time, and it never fails to captivate me. The writing and performances remain at the top of the list for all-time great series.

The Caligula scene with Drusilla's baby was necessary; Graves offered a fictionalized view of ancient history, much of which is based upon supposition and speculation anyway. Caligula's actions mimicked those of Zeus, so that scene does not seem farfetched.

Put puppy mills out of business: never buy dogs from pet shops!

[–] coney_island_baby 12 years ago

I'd be interested to see it re-done, if it can be done justice, as previous people have posted. I think HBO are the best people for the job, they've done some spectacular period dramas (thinking here of Rome, The Borgias, Deadwood, Carnivale, etc.)

I just hope that it isn't TOO much like Rome, which was very good at what it did, but wouldn't be suitable for something like I, Claudius, which is much more about the writing and the intrigue.

Very interested to see which actors are chosen.

[–] ruth44 11 years ago

I, Claudius was a one-off masterpiece and I also question the need to recreate this amazing production. Using very basic sets and looking quite primitive in comparison to the technical standard of today, the BBC produced one of its finest creations. The script and acting remain as relevant now as they did over 35 years ago and even though we have watched it countless times on videotape, we are now happily rewatching it on a recently purchased DVD boxset.

On the other hand I think of how I enjoyed the many versions of "Jane Eyre" and several Dickens books produced by the BBC and others, each bringing something new to the story, so perhaps it would be interesting to see what they could recreate now. Btw, the books by Robert Graves, I, Claudius and Claudius the God are wonderful and well worth reading in themselves.

I doubt if any actress could replace the Livia of Sian Phillips but who knows...