Paul Schrader slams American Gigolo TV series

If you follow Paul Schrader on Facebook, you’ll know that the famed writer-director does not shy away from a controversial opinion or two or mince words regarding his Hollywood adventures. When it was revealed that his 1980 classic American Gigolo was being remade as a series for Showtime (starring Jon Bernthal), some assumed Schrader would be involved, but not only is that not the case, but the auteur thinks remaking the film is a terrible idea. Read his post below:

“Clarification. AMERICAN GIGOLO. After the Showtime trailer appeared online I’ve been asked if I am involved. The answser is No. Some years ago I received a call from Paramount asking about remaking American Gigolo as a series. I replied that I thought it was a terrible idea–times had changed, internet porn had redefined male sex work, viruses, etc. I couldn’t imagine Julian Kay working a Hen Party. (Scorsese and I had fought off similar attempts to redo Taxi Driver for years.) I thought that was the end of it. Then came another call saying Jerry Bruckheimer and Paramount had the rights to redo AG without my consent. I said I would think about how such a show could be structured. No, the caller explained, they did not want my involvement. Here were my options: (1) take $50G and not be involved (2) take $0 and not be involved (3) threaten an expensive and futile lawsuit and not be involved. I took the $50G.”

In the same post, Schrader says he’s a fan of star Jon Bernthal as well as Gretchen Moll, who he directed in a film called Finding Lulu back in the nineties. He continues:

“I don’t plan to watch the Showtime series. I don’t think I could be objective about it and, even if I could, it’s too much agita.”

As you can see, Schrader opted to take the money and run (who could blame him?). Even if Schrader isn’t enthusiastic, the show itself, which just issued a first look trailer, doesn’t look bad. It seems like an interesting reimagining of the film, which starred Richard Gere (in a star-making role) as a high-priced gigolo who finds himself the prime suspect in a murder case. Bernthal plays the same character in the series, Julian Kaye, after serving 15 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit (in the film, Gere gets a last-minute reprieve).

While it looks slick and cool, the show has not been without some degree of controversy, with the showrunner, David Hollander, being fired after reports of on-set misconduct. The series, which co-stars Gretchen Moll, Rosie O’Donnell (cast against type as a cop) and Wayne Brady, is set to air later this year.

Here’s the trailer: