Spielberg is helming Harvey remake

Posted on August 4, 2009
Filed Under Actors, Adaptation, Directors, Remake

The veil is lifted and the big guys next project has been presented to the world. Steven Spielberg will sink his teeth into Mary Chase’s play “Harvey“, the tale of a man and his friendship with an invisible (imaginary…?) six-foot tall rabbit.

Many of you are certainly familiar with the 1950 adaptation, starring James Stewart in the role as Elwood P. Dowd (the guy seeing rabbits).

The Hollywood Reporter says that no casting is in place yet. Whether or not Spielberg has him in mind for the starring role, Tom Hanks will almost inevitably be mentioned as one candidate, since he’s considered to be a modern-day Jimmy Stewart and has worked with Spielberg on such films as “The Terminal,” “Catch Me If You Can” and “Saving Private Ryan.”

Pre-production is to begin immediately, with filming set to start after the first of the year.

The big question is – why? Does “Harvey” really need to be re-made? Why is Spielberg wasting(?) his time with this? “Harvey” is warm and funny story already made to perfection. Almost 60 years ago. So OK, maybe he’s thinking of a whole new generation, unaware of James Stewart and his rabbit… Well, hopefully (probably) it will be a great adaptation, but I can’t shake the feeling that this project is a bit… unnecessary.

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