WTF? Natalie Portman to Star in 'Suspiria' Remake?

This is one of those stories you want so badly to believe that you kind of think your way out of believing it. Surely, if there's going to be an American remake of Dario Argento's Suspiria - one of the few legitimate pieces of art that wears the horror label - the guy directing it wouldn't be the dude from Pineapple Express, right? And if the dude from Pineapple Express is directing it, then surely he wouldn't be able to grab a star like Natalie Portman, right? While I still don't entirely believe it, all of those things are reportedly coming together, according to one source. Either way, it gives us a great excuse to post a hot picture of Natalie Portman. Never pass up that opportunity... Bloody Disgusting has reported and apparently re-confirmed today that David Gordon Green will direct Suspiria and that Portman's production company, Handsome Charlie Films, is producing, and that the Oscar nominee will star in the remake, as well. In addition to being seriously twisted and just about as scary as a horror movie has ever been, Suspiria is also psychologically complex. I would guess Portman would play the Suzy Bannion character, an American dancer who travels to a European ballet school and quickly learns it's much, much different than that. Visually, the original film is jarring, kind of magnificent in its own way, and definitely gruesome. Can that be achieved again? Maybe. We built up Alexandre Aja the other day talking about Mirrors, and to me, he's the perfect candidate to remake Suspiria. I thought so while I was watching High Tension for the first time. I'm not sure exactly what David Gordon Green brings to the project that it needs. His Undertow is interesting; maybe the producers saw something there that they like for this remake. But even his involvement isn't as surprising as Natalie Portman's. Would you ever think she'd do a horror remake, particularly this one? I'm still unconvinced of this story's veracity, but it's such an unusual collection of names, it's worth hearing about at the very least. It's definitely a development we're going to keep our eye on. Bloody Disgusting reports that Portman's people say nothing has been confirmed or signed yet, but the rumor here is much more interesting than the denial.

Comments

[john]

I'm sure I'll come across as some angry horror-nerd but, really it's time to draw the line. Suspiria... "re-imagined" by the d-bag behind Pineapple Express and Undertow?!?! Goodie!!! I can't wait for Michael Bay's Cemetery Man w/Shia LeBoof! ...Paul Giamati as Nagi.

[Get The Big Picture]

I'm with you in spirit, I guess, but I actually believe Suspiria is prime for an American remake. It's such a cool and disturbing movie, but it definitely has a European aesthetic that makes it even more unapproachable than a lot of U.S. horror movies of that time. Of course, at that time, there wasn't a damn thing like Suspiria in this country.

That's why I think Aja's so perfect for it, because he has the European grounding but he was clearly influenced by American horror, as well.

But I can definitely see Suspiria as one of those dearly beloved movies you don't want anyone to mess with. My only point is that this way some people will see it who never would, particularly if the Portman thing happens.

[Jen]

To be fair, Pineapple Express was quite a departure for Green-- if you check out his other work like George Washington and All the Real Girls as well as the film he just produced Shotgun Stories especially if he uses his same talented D.P. Tim Orr, I think he'll be able to pull it off. There's a lot of beauty in his earlier work so we could be surprised but then again, I was totally surprised to find his name attached to Express so anything's possible!