A remake of The Princess Bride? Cary Elwes says drop your sword

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

"Who says life is fair? Where is that written?"

– William Goldman, The Princess Bride

It's a given that the internet is always in a snit about something at any given time, but Variety's recent profile focusing on legendary producer Norman Lear has many up in arms after it was said that a remake of Rob Reiner's THE PRINCESS BRIDE could be on the way. To be precise, it was Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra who commented: “We have so many people coming to us saying, ‘We want to remake this show or that show,'” Vinciquerra told Variety. “Very famous people whose names I won’t use, but they want to redo ‘The Princess Bride.’ Some people want to do animated versions of some of the sitcoms. Not a month goes by when we don’t have an idea coming from some very big name wanting to do things with Norman.”

While sandwiched between any number of possible reboots, it was Vinciquerra's remark about a remake of THE PRINCESS BRIDE that sparked controversy among fans as well as several members of the Hollywood elite. In fact, it took almost no time at all for celebrities the likes of Cary Elwes and Jamie Lee Curtis to call the idea of a Princess Bride remake inconceivable.

“There’s a shortage of perfect movies in this world. It would be a pity to damage this one,” Elwes, who plays Westley in the film, said on Twitter in reference to one of his character's most famouse lines of dialogue.

Hot on the heels of Elwes' tweet, scream queen legend Jamie Lee Curtis crafted a response of her own: “Oh really? Well, I married the six fingered man, obviously why we have stayed together for 35 years and there is only ONE ‘The Princess Bride’ and it’s William Goldman and @robreiner’s,” Jamie Lee Curtis, who is married to Count Rugen actor Christopher Guest, said on Twitter. “Life is pain highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something!”

Considered a flawless fairy tale film among many, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is director Rob Reiner's 1987 masterpiece. The movie is based on the novel of the same name written by the late William Goldman, who also penned the screenplay for Reiner's adaptation. The timeless tale first published in 1973 tells the story of a farmboy-turned pirate (Cary Elwes) who who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love, Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright). Endlessly quotable, inspiring on all fronts, and a beacon of fantasy filmmaking, THE PRINCESS BRIDE also starred Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya; Wallace Shawn as Vizzini; Andre the Giant as Fezzik; Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdink; Billy Crystal as Miracle Max; Carol Kane as Valerie; Peter Falk as The Grandfather; and Fred Savage as The Grandson.

I too am a member of the "hell no" camp when it comes to the idea of remaking THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Reiner's classic film stands as one of my top five favorite movies of all time and I simply don't see the point in remaking it. It's as close to a perfect film as they come, and I highly doubt that there's anything worth adding to the story that would elevate it in any way. This is just my opinion of course, and you're welcome to disagree, I just can't think of anything I need less in my life than a contemporary take on Buttercup and Wesley's journey toward true love.

You can read a collection of some of the online reactions to Vinciquerra's words below:

Let us know where you stand on the idea of remaking THE PRINCESS BRIDE in the comments section below.