"Wild Bunch" Japanese Theatrical Poster
The Collider reports that Jody Hill – the writer/director of The Foot Fist Way, Eastbound & Down and Observe and Report – has been tapped by Warner to remake/reboot a movie version of the classic TV show, The Dukes of Hazzard. The TV show itself was inspired by 1975’s Moonrunners (see trailer), a film about moonshine-running bootleggers who outran federal agents with fast cars.
According to Cinema Blend, Jody Hill’s version of The Dukes of Hazzard, which will take place during the 1970s in the South, will be more like a violent Sam Peckinpah-style shoot ’em up, a la The Wild Bunch.
In 2005, The Dukes of Hazzard was remade into comedy film by Super Troopers’ Jay Chandrasekhar. It starred Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott and Jessica Simpson. Chandrasekhar’s film was panned by most critics and fans alike. Richard Roeper named it the worst film of 2005.
As a big fan of Jody Hill’s work, I’m sure he can do some justice to the franchise, while putting his own spin to it. I personally don’t care if it’s related to The Dukes of Hazzard or not, but if the title makes it easier to get the picture green-lit, then I’m all for it. Just think: A Sam Peckinpah take on “The Duke Boys” directed by Jody Hill? I’m there.
Don’t really see the point in a “gritty” Dukes of Hazzard. Its whole appeal was rural car chase porn, and that’s it. Didn’t see the ’05 movie, but it seems like a good enough adaptation, given the source material.
Check out the trailer for 1975′s Moonrunners (link in the article). I never realized that Dukes of Hazzard was a knock-off. lol As far as making a “gritty” Dukes of Hazzard, I think they’re pulling a 21 Jump Street, where the name helps it, more than hurts it, despite it being a standalone film.
Except 21 Jump Street hadn’t been on the air in 25 years, and people still remember the last Dukes movie.
Also, it’s not really a knockoff, since the writer of Moonrunners got credit on the show.
Not sure it makes sense for a new Dukes after Hit & Run. http://themoviebox.net/1347