'Private Benjamin' Remake Recruits Anna Faris

Does Private Benjamin need a remake? No. Does Anna Faris need a comedic role with a little more weight to it? Yes. I do wish it weren't being propped up by New Line, but it's better than the studio's Police Academy update. Faris is actually well-suited for this project, and can carry a comedy almost completely on her own. She's even been good in bad comedies, and unfortunately, that represents the bulk of her work to this point. She does have a higher profile now, so that's nice, but the roles just aren't very challenging yet. Private Benjamin was a big hit back in 1980, and it gave Goldie Hawn and Eileen Brennan Oscar nominations. That was a big year for the ladies, actually: 9 to 5 - which could also be updated - and Coal Miner's Daughter joined Benjamin in the top ten of the year-end box office. I would say that's rare. The film was also Nancy Meyers' big break; it was her first screenplay credit (for which she received a shared nomination), but she's not mentioned in conjunction with the new project. So that probably means we won't get any menopause jokes. "The new take will set the story in contemporary times with modern wars as the backdrop," writes The Hollywood Reporter. "Insiders say the studio doesn’t want to poke fun at the men and women in the service or take political potshots, but rather focus on the empowerment elements and build on the fish-out-of-water comedy."

Comments

[Tjei]

What? No Abu Ghraib prison jokes? Anna Faris is the best comedic actress of her generation. And it really is sad she works in shitty movies, that if not for her, I wouldn't endure.

[J.Bradley]

Well if they don't title it "Private Benjamin" and change the premise to that of a contemporary "entitled" millennial generation "princess" joining the military - during a time of war, it might just seem like less of a remake and something more timely for THIS time. Still though, it won't have the "weight" of the original - and IT was a "light" movie even back then.

[Bubba]

At least it wasn't Protocol, but given the current president, it would be easy enough to put that in present time...