The Incredible Shrinking Man Remake

Bret Ratner and Eddie Murphy are slotted to bring us a remake of The Incredible Shrinking Man. We get this sombre news from our friends at comingsoon:

Brett Ratner is in negotiations to direct Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment’s remake of The Incredible Shrinking Man. Brian Grazer is producing the project, which has Eddie Murphy attached to star, says The Hollywood Reporter.

An updated version of the best-selling novel and 1957 sci-fi classic starring Grant Williams, “Man” is taking the comedic approach to the fantastical material, telling the story of a famous Las Vegas magician who is put under a spell that causes him to shrink. He must find a way to reverse the spell before he gets so small that he “disappears.”

Oh remake train, cursed remake train, when will you fall off your tracks and plummet into the canyon of yesterday. We talk about it often, and lament it much, but the amount of remakes that continue to be made is peculiar. I suppose they are easy to whip off, and the title already has a familiarity for advertising purposes; but it’s really just starting to feel wrong. A flippant, half-assed remake is not in the best interest of anyone other that those cashing the checks. I lament passing on news of them, and wish they would stop.

I love Eddy Murphy and very much want this prodigal son to return to excellence. He can do what he wants, but Eddy starring in shitty comedies is like Mozart write music for soap operas. Delirious is a film that first showed me the potential of stand up comedy. Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places were all hilarious and films I will still watch over and over again. Everyone knows Eddy is hilarious, but more and more people are starting to give up hope for a return to something great. I cannot do this no matter how horrible the project (this one included); with hope, Eddy will return to greatness and all of us must be ready to celebrate when (if) it happens.