Radcliffe to Star in 'All Quiet on the Western Front'

A film that is long overdue for a remake, Daniel Radcliffe will reportedly star in All Quiet on the Western Front, one of the greatest (anti-)war stories ever published as well as a former Best Picture winner. You might ask why I believe a remake is overdue. I think all the great literary classics are immune from the ravages of age. The only thing that can kill them is being avoided. I'd rather see this movie come back every 25 or 30 years than see generation upon generation go through life without knowing it exists. And increasingly, movies are the way you introduce kids to old material. Western Front's themes aren't any less relevant, and depending on how close to the source material this adaptation is, the case can be made that Erich Maria Remarque's writing is even more relevant, given the circumstances around the world, particularly in Afghanistan, which has become America's longest entanglement. As for the casting, Boffo quotes producer Ian Stokell as saying, "Daniel brings a vulnerability and innocence to [German soldier Paul Baumer]. When we realized how much he loved the script we were really excited because we know he can tap into the delicate balance between intensity and believability that is critical for this demanding role." It's astonishing to consider that Radcliffe is still only 20 years old and has not only become a good actor but also one who handles all the madness of Harry Potter with effortless aplomb. I'm glad to see him trying new things, like the theatrical Equus a couple years ago, another Broadway update in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and now this. Because of How to Succeed, Western Front won't film until the spring of 2012, but even that seems like a good move. After all, even though he's done a couple non-Potter movies here and there, Radcliffe can't escape how closely bonded he is to that character. So for this, which would likely be the boldest acting of his career, he's waiting until Potter is dead and buried. The last film opens in the summer of 2011 giving him plenty of time to do something different without as obvious a comparison.

Comments

[Asana]

" The only thing that can kill them is being avoided."

Or making a really crappy remake that no one will bother to actually see.

[SEAN]

I agree with Asana

I ulltimatley think this really shouldnt happen and hope it doesnt b/c Hollywood is so UNORIGINAL & REALLY FUCKED UP CREATIVELY they would fuck this up like many others things in the last recent year

But I really like Radcliffe he is cool & does have acting ability outside of Potter & I really like how he did Equus on Broadways b/c for anyone who has read that play it is brilliant & highly recommend it