We Americans have had a sad history with Judge Dredd. The hardcore lawman, first published in Britain’s sci-fi anthology comic 2000 AD in 1977, is probably the most popular U.K. comic book character ever. He’s been written by luminaries like Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, and Mark Millar. He is to British pop culture what Dirty Harry is to America’s: an uncompromising view of justice in a world that’s lost its way. And, most notoriously, Judge Dredd was adapted into the godawful 1995 Sylvester Stallone disaster, which marked the beginning of the end of Sly’s residence on Hollywood’s A-list.
The good news for lovers of Dredd, and dystopian sci-fi ass-kickery in general, is that Danny Boyle’s production company, DNA, is shepherding a new version of Dredd to the big screen, and they’ve engaged Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Sunshine) to write the script. And the cherry on top of this particular sundae is that British comics artist Jock (The Losers) is doing production designs, as he indicated in his Twitter feed.
All of which leads me to be hopeful for a new Judge Dredd movie — though I’d be more hopeful if Boyle signs on to direct. Where do you fall: eager, fearful, or don’t really care?
Photo Credit: Stallone: Everett Collection
Here’s an idea: get some actual comic writers on board! They’re the reason this series is popular in the first place. Hey, it worked really well having Mike Mignola write the Hellboy films – that’s some good cinema!
(Though I have to say I wouldn’t watch a JD written by Garth Ennis…and that while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, I don’t think Sly’s version is the worst that comic book movies have to offer.)
I’d be amazed if it goes off without a hitch…maybe if a British studio were doing it, but if Hollywood gets its hands on it again…forget it. The casting would be bad, like Nicholas Cage as Judge Dredd or something. Also, it would help to have Judge Death and/or Judge Anderson in the new movie.
Don’t really care. The only good thing to come out of the ’95 flick was the Cocteau Twins “Need Fire”. I think one of the (many) reasons the film failed was because it was too close to 1993′s Demolition Man (which had similar themes)
elly, on the subject of your idea that some of the comic book writers getting involved – I don’t think that’s necessarily such a good idea. I’m a massive fan of comics and have been for decades, but you’d have to say that writers moving from one medium to another is often a failed decision. That road is littered with comics luminaries who have been tarnished with poor experiments in TV or film; One of the greatest, a man whom many thought would have been perfect for film, Frank Miller, produced some real garbage over the years. Jeph Loeb, one of the most note-worthy writers of the last decade, has seen his stock plummet following his involvement with the TV show “Heroes”, and it seems to have affected his comics work.
I think the part that the film needs to recognise(Although even this article didn’t mention it), is that Dredd was created as a ludicrously over the top, blackly comedic satire of extremist justice, such as the kind favoured by Harry Callahan – Which is why it was based in a post-apocalyptic America.
Hey…I love the Stallone Judge Dredd and watch it any time it’s on TV (all the time). I will watch a totally different version when it comes out too…
No way, I enjoyed the movie! i think you guys took it to seriously. you guys probably liked the suckfest x-men movies that where not even close to the comics! im disappointed in you all!
Dredd is an iconic comic book character from my childhood. The new film has to be better than the Stallone one, so much was done wrong in that!! The bikes, the guns, Dredd taking off his helmet, Dredd kissing… come on the guy lives for the law, judges are not allowed relationships there illegal and Dredd knew from birth he was a clone along with 25% of the Justice Department!!
God they just messed around trying to make an action scifi with characters names and never even understood anything about the characters or their history and back story.