With such serious talent attached, the latest reboot of the classic 70s TV series is impossible to resist.
Hollywood loves to test our reboot threshold. I want to resist. I want to stand and say no more. Original ideas are our lifeblood. Please stop with the Jurassic Worlds and whatever they hell spurred you to attempt another Death Wish. But then you come at me with an electric Halloween trailer, and even your latest stab at the Transformers franchise has me giddy.
The reality is that, no matter what the IP or how many times we’ve seen it paraded before our eyes, if you populate your film with infectious talent I will happily throw money your way. The number of Roman numerals behind your title does not matter. Jason X might spark an eye-roll, but give me the kills and the thrills that I’ve come to expect from the Friday the 13th series and I’ll follow you to space above and beyond.
I’m pretty sure that I was the last person screaming for more Charlie’s Angels. The TV show was before my time, and the Nick at Nite reruns failed to grab my attention. The 2000 cinematic adventure produced a smile or two, but the Full Throttle sequel was cringe-inducing and, at best, resulted in trainwreck entertainment. No thanks.
Now, Variety reports that Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska are teaming up under the direction of Elizabeth Banks (who will also pull double-duty as Bosley) for a rebootquel to the previous films. Say wut? Yes, the rumors are true, and suddenly my tune has changed. Give me this frickin’ movie asap.
I’ll show up for pretty much anything Kristen Stewart is attached to at this point. The days of referencing Twilight and Snow White and the Huntsman are behind her (whoops, sorry about that. Promise, that’s the last time I utter those titles). On the faith of Personal Shopper and Certain Women alone, Stewart’s seal of approval on a project goes a long way in guaranteeing my intrigue.
Naomi Scott met Banks on the set of Power Rangers as rivals: Pink Ranger vs. Rita Repulsa. Even more enticing, Scott is taking on the role of Jasmine in Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin. She may not be enjoying the luxury of Stewart’s current indie queen status, but she has tackled at least one questionable role and delivered the action hero goods. She should fit nicely into Charlie’s agency.
Balinska is much more of an unknown factor. The film is a massive get for her. She is best known for guest spotting on the BBC shows Midsomer Murders and Casualty. She’s currently jet-setting between London and Los Angelas, and Charlie’s Angels will go a long way in establishing her presence on the scene.
On Movie 43 and Pitch Perfect 2, Banks revealed tremendous craft for scoring laughter. We’ve been waiting for her to take the reigns on a new Charlie’s Angels since 2015, and while Stewart’s involvement certainly grabs our attention, it’s the sensibilities of Banks that pique’s our interest the most. Banks will recontextualize this 70s cheese for 2018 (or ’19).
Speaking to Variety, Banks explained her enthusiasm for the property and her reasons for pursuing it so passionately:
“Charlie’s Angels, for me, is one of the original brands to celebrate the empowered woman since its debut in the ’70s. This film honors the legacy of Charles Townsend and his agency while introducing a new era of modern and global Angels. I couldn’t be more excited to work with Kristen, Naomi and Ella to bring this chapter to fans around the world.”
The new film will not dismiss what came before. The Charles Townsend Agency has grown exponentially over the years, employing several investigative teams around the world. Banks’ movie will focus on a new trilogy of heroes working in the fields of private security and intelligence. Alongside Bosley, they’re hired by a variety of bizarre clients, and they should explore beyond the state of California.
Kristen Stewart as Ethan Hunt, but maybe not so self-serious. There is real potential here. This will not strive to replicate Farrah Fawcett’s hair, but a proper avenue for female-driven, butt-kicking adventure comedy.
While I can kinda imagine what that film looks like, I really don’t know how Stewart fits into that mold. She’s sorta flirted with this genre-mash before in American Ultra, but replacing Max Landis’ “taste” for Elizabeth Banks comic class radically alters the end product. Whatever the outcome, I cannot dismiss it as just another reboot, and I’m excited to put Charlie’s Angels before me.
Related Topics: Charlie's Angels, Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Stewart
