We’re giving Hollywood our best ideas here.
We’re currently in a golden age of TV with some cracking shows available at the touch of a button.
One of the recent trends has seen a host of famous films from the ’90s such as The Craft, Scream, From Dusk Till Dawn, Fargo and Sleepy Hollow all being turned into TV shows and this got us thinking of other movies that would translate perfectly to the small screen, and why?
Empire Records
Why would it work? The original is the very definition of cult-classic and there are far too few slackers, drop-outs and realistic teenagers on TV. If they manage to incorporate the best pop-culture obsessed elements of High Fidelity and Clerks into this then they’re onto a winner.
Also, every day should be Rex Manning day.
Michael Collins
Why would it work? The Neil Jordan film still stands up but there’s still so much more that’s left to say about ‘The Big Fella’.
RTE have commissioned some very interesting historical productions in the last few years, the Aiden Gillen starring Charlie being the most recent, but we would absolutely love to see Collins’ life being given even more air-time.
Looking abroad, HBO also made an excellent biographical film about Winston Churchill that starred Brendan Gleeson so maybe they could also look towards one of Ireland’s most influential and interesting figures.
The Mighty Ducks
Why would it work? You’ll have to go a long way before you meet anyone that has more love for the original Mighty Ducks film trilogy than me but the franchise seems ripe for reinvigorating. Dear Hollywood suits, just be kind with it.
When you think about it, it sort of makes sense though. Teenage characters? Check. Plucky underdog story? Check. Sports? Check.
It’s a win-win situation but our only demand is that they should cast Emilio Estevez. Quack, quack, quack!
Candyman
Why would it work? American Horror Story and Hemlock Grove have shown that there’s an audience for serial TV horror shows and there’s no better property to develop than Clive Barker’s gothic masterpiece.
The original is an absolute classic because it tapped into elements of mythology, gothic fiction and fairtyale horror while also being s**t your pants scary. The Candyman is such an iconic villain because he seemed equally chilling in the past as in the present.
There’s so much terrifying potential here.
Leon: The Professional
Why would it work? I always wondered if Natalie Portman’s character Matilda ever took up the mantle of assassin for hire.
Somehow I can’t picture her living a quiet life that revolved around cleaning that plant. Violence is always a good way to solve problems.
Don’t make a sequel to this but a TV show might be interesting. Also, it would be very cool to see some of Leon’s back-story and earlier hits developed.
Mortal Kombat
Why would it work? The original film is deeply flawed but it’s still lots of fun to watch and any Mortal Kombat show wouldn’t require any intricate plot.
Then again, ‘The Raid’ didn’t have much of a plot but the fight sequences still blew our minds. If Mortal Kombat could combine great fight choreography with buckets of blood, gore and darkness then it could be huge.
Any excuse to hear this tune again is very welcome.
Independence Day
Why would it work? The sequel is already being made so it’s unlikely that we’ll see an assault on The White House taking place on the small screen but this story seems perfect for TV.
A global takeover of the world by aliens from another planet deserves an epic ten-hour long saga that has the time, patience and scope to develop characters, battle plans and set-pieces.
Every episode should also end with a Bill Pullman speech.
The Matrix
Why would it work? The Wachowskis really missed the mark with The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions. Badly.
This being said, the brothers did manage to do something that very few others filmmaker have achieved in the last 20 years. Create an entirely new mythology that’s filled with characters, intricate details and endless potential.
It might be time to take the red pill again and rage against some machines.
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