Iron Man Takes on Hitchcock: Robert Downey Jr Reveals Bold Plan to Outdo Classic Remake

Summary

Robert Downey Jr. plans to remake Hitchcock's Vertigo because he believes he can do it better, citing his own experiences with fear and rock climbing as inspiration.

Hitchcock's original works have often served as inspiration for new genre efforts or have been remade. However, only a handful of these remakes have managed to attain the same level of critical acclaim as their predecessors.

Whether Downey Jr.'s remake of Vertigo can surpass the curse that has haunted other Hitchcock-inspired films remains uncertain. This is particularly true considering his track record with remakes, which has been a combination of success and failure.

Robert Downey Jr., known for his role in creating one of the greatest movies of all time, has expressed his desire to remake the iconic Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo. In an interview with the New York Times, Downey Jr. revealed his belief that he and his team can improve upon the original. While acknowledging that the project is still in its early stages, the actor/producer confirmed that they are actively exploring the possibility of a fresh interpretation of the psychological thriller.

We will certainly investigate

Can Downey Jr.'s Vertigo Overcome The Hitchcock Remake Curse?

. Do you know why? Exactly! It's not even risky. It would be advisable to consider it as utterly ridiculous. Perfect, let's delve into it! Firstly, who would be our partners in this endeavor? We must love and respect them. Secondly, let me review the original synopsis once again. I believe we can improve upon it. [Laughs.] Let me explain why. I have encountered a situation while rock climbing where I became stuck in a panic freeze. If it weren't for feeling overwhelmingly embarrassed, I would have asked to be lifted off that rock. I lost confidence in my ability to place myself correctly, the drop was too great, and my body reacted. It wasn't the typical fight-or-flight response; instead, it was a freeze-and-about-to-faint reaction. I will never forget that incident, and it made me contemplate the existence of cinematic techniques that have yet to be fully utilized. I believe these techniques could offer an immersive experience, attempting to convey the sensation of being psychologically overwhelmed with fear in a situation that should be manageable. Such an experience might be highly entertaining.

Having brought his vision to a range of projects during his career, including adaptations of novels, Hitchcock's works have been both remade and a source of inspiration for new genre efforts in the decades following their original release. Some notable examples include Hitchcock's own remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much, Gus Van Sant's Psycho featuring Vince Vaughn as the iconic serial killer Norman Bates – a faithful shot-for-shot remake, and A Perfect Murder, led by Michael Douglas, which was another attempt at capturing the essence of Dial M for Murder.

Few remakes or movies inspired by Hitchcock's original films have achieved the same critical success. For instance, Psycho received two Razzie awards and performed poorly at the box office, while A Perfect Murder received mixed reviews, earning a 57 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Even Disturbia, led by Shia LaBeouf, which had moderate success, faced a lawsuit for seemingly adapting the short story that inspired Rear Window, although the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.

It remains uncertain what approach Downey Jr. will take with his Vertigo remake. However, it will be intriguing to see if the film can overcome the Hitchcock curse that has plagued many other titles. Downey Jr., known for his role as Iron Man, has experienced mixed reactions to his involvement in remakes. Dolittle was a historic box office failure in 2020, while the Perry Mason reboot received mostly positive reviews before it was cancelled by HBO after two seasons. Hopefully, Downey Jr. will draw from the noir-driven roots of the latter project to assemble the right team and introduce a new generation of viewers to Hitchcock's Vertigo.

Source: NY Times