Massive Potential for Commando Movie Remake Unveiled: Exclusive Insights from the Writer!

In a recent interview at the London Action Festival, writer Steven E. de Souza discussed the potential for a Commando movie remake, over a decade after the previous attempt fell through. The original Commando, released in 1985, capitalized on Arnold Schwarzenegger's rising fame following his role in James Cameron's The Terminator. The film followed Schwarzenegger as a retired United States Army Special Forces Colonel on a mission to rescue his daughter from a South American dictator. While it may not have been a critical success, Commando was a box office hit and remains one of Schwarzenegger's most iconic films.

When asked about the scrapped Commando remake by David Ayer, de Souza was hesitant about the project's chances. He expressed doubt that anyone could replicate Schwarzenegger's charisma but did offer one requirement for a potential remake.

Can A Commando Remake Still Work?

These exceptional characters are hard to come by, and unfortunately, they are rarely portrayed in motion pictures. While it may be possible to envision someone like The Rock taking on such a role, it seems unlikely that he would be interested in rebooting an existing franchise. Personally, I don't believe a reboot is necessary or worthwhile, but if it does happen, it would be greatly appreciated if they could preserve the original ending.

The development of the Commando remake was announced back in 2010, with Ayer taking on the responsibility of writing and directing. This decision came a few years after his directorial debut with Harsh Times, starring Christian Bale, and Street Kings, starring Keanu Reeves. Although both films received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, Ayer's career didn't suffer much from it. In fact, he managed to make his mark in the industry with the highly acclaimed End of Watch just a couple of years later.

While Commando remains a beloved action film among Schwarzenegger fans, there are concerns about its potential success without the star's involvement. Currently, only two of his projects have received the remake treatment: Total Recall, led by Colin Farrell, and CBS' True Lies show. Unfortunately, both received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, with Total Recall underperforming at the box office and True Lies being cancelled after just one season.

De Souza suggests that The Rock could potentially be the only actor capable of taking over from Schwarzenegger in a Commando remake, drawing on the nostalgic feelings of those who enjoyed their collaboration in The Rundown. However, he also acknowledges that the likelihood of a modern action star remaking or rebooting a classic film is low. While The Rock was previously attached to developing a sequel for Big Trouble in Little China, his busy schedule with projects like Fast & Furious, Red Notice sequels, and live-action Moana makes it even more unlikely for him to take on the Commando mantle.

Source: Radio Times