Chiwetel Ejiofor to Star in ‘Man Who Fell to Earth’ Adaptation at Paramount+

I guess it doesn't, not for studio heads who only see "title of known & respected film classic + new actor of the current generation = $$$$$$$." Much easier than trying to make something brand-new that might have the same impact.

And sometimes that even works. The Jeff Bridges version of True Grit was made from the novel, not the previous film version, and does stand on its own. So we'll have to wait & see about this remake, I suppose. Still, it'll be quite a hurdle to go up against a film presence as distinctively unearthly & unique as David Bowie, though.