Just two weeks ago, news came down that DAS BOOT would be getting remade. Now, another film regarded as a classic is getting a second adaptation. This time, however, the film is one of the seminal works of cinema from any country in the world: LA DOLCE VITA.
From renowned filmmaker Federico Fellini, LA DOLCE VITA told the story of Marcello Rubini, a journalist writing for gossip magazines, over seven days and nights on his journey through the "sweet life" of Rome in a fruitless search for love and happiness. Winner of the 1960 Palm D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, LA DOLCE VITA made a household name out of Marcello Mastroianni. Screen siren Anita Ekberg also became an icon thanks to her memorable scene in the Trevi Fountain.
Deadline reports that Fellini's last remaining relative, his niece Francesca, signed the rights for the film to be remade. She issued this statement.
We’ve been approached countless times and asked to consider everything from remakes and re-imaginings to prequels and sequels. We knew it would take very special producers and compelling circumstances to motivate the family to allow rights to be optioned. Daniele, Andrea and Monika have a beautiful vision of a modern film, and considering their Italian heritage and deep appreciation and understanding of my uncle’s works, there couldn’t be a better alignment for this project.”
The film is being contemporized and is being called an "homage" rather than a remake, but it appears that it will follow the same plot and feature the same title. No cast has been announced yet, but like DAS BOOT, the new LA DOLCE VITA will be remade in it's original language rather than a Hollywood studio. While that doesn't make an unnecessary remake any less unnecessary, at least this will not star Jennifer Lopez and Channing Tatum.
I am not a fan of reaching back to perfect movies to tell them again, this is not a trend that is going to be going away any time soon. We used to joke about CITIZEN KANE or GONE WITH THE WIND being remade, but I think that is becoming more and more of a possibility as studios run out of original ideas.