MGM has another remake on tap. This time they're putting a different twist on DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and they've recruited Rebel Wilson to be at the center of it.
The 1988 original, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine (which, in itself was a remastering of the 1964 Marlon Brando–David Niven film BEDTIME STORY) featured two con men trying to bilk an heiress out of her fortune. This time, it'll be two women scammers – one high class and the other definitely not – going after a clueless tech genius and his big bucks. I think you can safely assume which Wilson will play, since she's done versions of that trashy character already in other films.
Jac Schaeffer will be writing the screenplay for the property, which was also revisited as a stage musical back in 2004.
This isn't the first redo that Wilson is a part of it, as she's been attached to a PRIVATE BENJAMIN remake for a few minutes in the role Goldie Hawn made famous back 36 years ago. And while I'm sure the familiar refrain of "Why do they have to keep remaking everything?" is levied against this picture, it is refreshing to see Hollywood finally embracing a bit of diversity in films period as it pertains to females in more starring roles. It's baby steps for a slow-moving industry that is now finally getting that if you make a movie with women at the front end, people will go out and see them. Unfortunately, since the studios have blinders on to anything that isn't an established name, brand or title right now, this is what we've got. Let's hope they make the most of it.