"Mummy" director unwraps new "Tarzan"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The director of the first two "Mummy" movies is taking a swing at Tarzan.

Stephen Sommers is in negotiations with Warner Bros. to bring a new version of the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs creation "Tarzan, Lord of the Apes," to the big screen.

Why is it that Hollywood has to beat ideas to death. I'm sure that some people will like this "new" version of Tarzan, but why can't they come up with more original ideas. It appears to me they feel the need to make the same movies over and over again: The Hulk, Batman, all the countless horror remakes, etc...

Thoughts?

Tags: ideas, mummy, new, tarzan

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Permalink Reply by The Real Uncle Bob on September 4, 2008 at 3:27pm: Yeah, and the Greeks wanted to know why that blind dude was always singing his tunes about that Ulysses dude instead of coming up with new material.

Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote 24 Tarzan books, many of which have never been filmed; most of the Tarzan films adhere closely to none of Burroughs' works. IMDB has over 100 films with the word Tarzan in the title, including Zhongguo Taishan li xian ji, aka "The Adventures of Chinese Tarzan, " made in Singapore in 1940.

Most of these films have only one theme in common; the story of a feral child raised by animals in Africa. In most cases, the child is from white European stock.

In general, I find films that stick by ERB's plotlines better than those that don't, but there is nothing to prevent a good original Tarzan script from being written.

Do you feel the same way about Sherlock Holmes? Mike Hammer? Nancy Drew? Dracula? These classic characters are just templates, that could have vibrant new life if the right talent is brought to bear.

The third Mummy movie was disappointing, but the first two had their moments, Sommers may do Tarzan justice -- I hope he does. If he fails it will be his fault, not Tarzan's.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dianne on September 4, 2008 at 3:34pm: It's not the characters I have this problem with, it's just that often when a remake is made, it's not done the proper justice that it deserves.

Do I think a good Tarzan movie could be made? Yes. Do I think it's going to happen? No.

I honestly hope Sommers proves me wrong.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Real Uncle Bob on September 4, 2008 at 3:46pm: If it were Peter Jackson doing Tarzan, I'd be more confident, but the proof's in the pudding.; ▶ Reply to This