It’s Been 27 Years: Someone Needs To Remake Event Horizon

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It's Been 27 Years: Someone Needs To Remake Event Horizon

Key Takeaways

  • Event Horizon evolved from flop to cult classic through its distinct cosmic horror atmosphere and influence on future works.
  • Paramount’s rush to release the film caused issues, including censoring graphic content and deleting footage, hindering its original vision.
  • A potential remake or reboot could delve deeper into the story, explore new crew dynamics, and benefit from fresh perspectives in the genre.

As a die-hard fan of science fiction and someone who has spent countless hours delving into the darkest corners of the cosmos both figuratively and literally, I can’t help but feel an intense sense of anticipation for the potential reboot of “Event Horizon.” This film, with its hauntingly beautiful visuals and bone-chilling atmosphere, left a lasting impact on me when I first watched it in 1997. It was like a cosmic nightmare that refused to let go.

Initially, upon its debut in 1997, Event Horizon was met with unfavorable reviews and low box office returns. However, as time passed, it gained a newfound appreciation from viewers, leading to discussions about a possible remake. This space horror movie, once considered a flop, has since transformed into a cult classic, especially within the sci-fi community, and has left an impact on numerous other genre works.

Under the guidance of director Paul W. S. Anderson, the movie portrays a team of astronauts embarking on a rescue operation when the vanished spaceship, titled Event Horizon, reappears in orbit around Neptune after a seven-year absence. Upon answering its distress call, they find themselves plunged into a horrific landscape, and their ordeal forms the core of the harrowing experience depicted in the film Event Horizon.

How Event Horizon Became A Sci-Fi Cult Classic

It's Been 27 Years: Someone Needs To Remake Event Horizon

As a hardcore gamer of all things sci-fi and horror, I’ve got to say that Event Horizon might not be the pinnacle of perfection, but it sure packs a unique, eerie punch. This film has carved out its own niche in cult status thanks to its ingenious blend of CGI and practical effects, creating a chilling deep-space environment with an extra dose of gruesome scenes.

It’s worth noting that not everyone disliked the movie “Event Horizon” when it was initially released. Critics like Total Film recognized its strengths and even compared it to “The Shining in space.” Beyond clear influences from Kubrick’s horror masterpiece and “Alien,” the space thriller also drew inspiration from Andrei Tarkovsky’s “Solaris.” In many respects, it can be seen as an unofficial precursor to “Warhammer 40,000.” This suggests that the film has undergone a significant transformation in popularity and is now widely regarded as a sci-fi classic among enthusiasts.

Additionally, it’s important to note that the film “Event Horizon” wasn’t merely inspired by other works; instead, it served as a catalyst for future creators. This influence can be seen in various video game franchises like Dead Space and films directed by contemporary visionaries such as Christopher Nolan. In fact, Nolan’s movie “Interstellar” acknowledges the 1997 film through a nod when Dr. Romilly explains wormholes using the same pen-and-paper demonstration that Dr. Weir uses in “Event Horizon”. This concept was also replicated in science fiction TV shows and movies, including Netflix’s Stranger Things and the Denzel Washington-led Déjà Vu.

What Went Wrong With Event Horizon?

As a gamer, I was really looking forward to diving into the world of Event Horizon. However, it seemed like the game was plagued with numerous problems right from the start, which ultimately affected its final quality. It felt like the developers were in such a rush to release it before the highly anticipated Titanic, that they cut corners during editing, special effects, and sound mixing, leaving many aspects of the game incomplete.

Currently, we find ourselves exactly halfway between when the original ‘Event Horizon’ was first released in 1997 and its future-based setting in 2046. This makes this moment an ideal opportunity for a remake, reboot, or even a sequel that picks up where the original left off. ‘Event Horizon’ has earned another chance to make waves at the box office and regain popularity in mainstream media. A fresh film or TV series adaptation could accomplish just that. The latest buzz about new ‘Event Horizon’ content surfaced when Amazon Studios and Paramount Television were said to be working on a series adaptation back in 2019, with ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ director Adam Wingard at the helm. In an interview with ‘Inverse’ in March 2024, Wingard revealed that the project will indeed proceed once he completes work on ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’.

The project is definitely under development. I’ve been immersed in the world of Godzilla for quite some time now. While I can’t say we have concrete momentum regarding its progression yet, I must admit, the script we have is absolutely fantastic. Once this film wraps up, my focus will shift towards finalizing preparations for that project.

A Reboot Can Make Things Right For Event Horizon

It's Been 27 Years: Someone Needs To Remake Event Horizon

If another film were produced, it might delve into the events following Starck, Cooper, and Justin’s rescue from the Event Horizon’s debris. This could involve further development of their terrifying encounter with the sentient starship, or the introduction of a new team embarking on a similar mission. The material to expand upon is primarily Philip Eisner’s screenplay, but the fundamental space horror concept and themes can be reimagined in a novel way while preserving the essence of the original narrative.

There’s an opportunity to revitalize a potential reboot of the film “Event Horizon” by exploring a new path, despite the fact that Paul W. S. Anderson continues to produce films, such as those based on “Resident Evil.” Notably, Anderson has shown no inclination towards returning to “Event Horizon,” as he mentioned in an interview with Comicbook.com. This presents a chance for a new perspective from someone well-versed in the science fiction genre. For instance, a talented sci-fi director like Alex Garland (known for “Ex Machina” and “Civil War”) could transform this once criticized movie into a franchise.

To be honest, I wasn’t keen on revisiting the realm of Event Horizon. However, I take great pride in the film we produced. When it was first released, I felt it didn’t receive a fair evaluation, neither critically nor commercially. I believe it deserved more recognition than it received. Over time, though, it has developed a dedicated fanbase that I am incredibly proud of. That’s why I hesitated to re-enter the same world and potentially spoil it for its fans.

Restarting the project would essentially press the “restart” button on casting for the Lewis and Clark rescue ship crew, and there are several intriguing possibilities. Talents such as Benedict Cumberbatch portraying Dr. Weir, Idris Elba as Captain Miller, Rebecca Ferguson as Lt. Starck, and Florence Pugh as Peters are some immediate suggestions that pop into my head. A revamped version of Event Horizon should not only surpass the original film by correcting its shortcomings, but also honor the depth that was sacrificed with the cut scenes.

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2024-10-13 19:03