Secret of NIMH remake

[Raph's Girl]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090728/film_nm/us_rats_1

As rodents prove surprisingly likable on the big screen, the studio is developing a feature version of the Newbery Medal-winning children's book "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH."

Director Neil Burger ("The Illusionist") is in talks to write the screenplay.

The movie would be the second theatrical go-round for the book, which MGM brought to the screen in 1982 as the animated "The Secret of NIMH," directed by Don Bluth.

Robert C. O'Brien's book has been a staple in children's bookstores and libraries since it was first published in 1971. The story centers on a mouse -- the titular Mrs. Frisby, renamed Mrs. Brisby in the MGM movie -- faced with a crisis when her son falls ill and she must move her family to escape a farmer's plow.

Mrs. Frisby enlists a group of former lab rats, whom she soon discovers possess advanced technologies and run a highly evolved society, dividing labor in the manner of a human community.

Usually relegated to sidekick status, rodents recently have come into their own as main characters. This past weekend "G-Force," which centers on a mission undertaken by a group of computer-animated guinea pigs, took the box-office cheese, earning $32 million and besting holdover "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Those familiar with "NIMH" noted, however, that the material has elements of a parable and reflects more serious ideas than the light comedy of "G-Force."

The new "NIMH" likely will combine live action and animation in the manner of "Alvin & the Chipmunks" and other kiddie hybrids.

"NIMH" would be Burger's first foray into family fare. The writer-director's previous work includes the Ed Norton period magician's tale "The Illusionist" and the Tim Robbins post-Iraq feature "The Lucky Ones."

Now Secret of NIMH is one of my fave movies ever. But if done right this could probably work in live action. I'd LOVE to see how they'd do The Great Owl and Nicodemus.

[poiuytre]

Secret of NIMH is one of my favorite animated movies of all time too and it still holds it very well to this day. Not sure if this is necessary.

[ZariusTwo]

So long as she gets the Crow I'm happy

[Warhorse]

Why am I not surprised.

Eh, I'm still waiting for the live action version of The Last Unicorn. Surprised Hollywood hasn't brought that one out yet, or any movie featuring a Unicorn, considering they are as loved as dragons, vampires, werewolves etc.......

Oh well, it may work out as live action, who knows.

[Raph's Girl]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

Eh, I'm still waiting for the live action version of The Last Unicorn. Surprised Hollywood hasn't brought that one out yet.

The live action version of Last Unicorn has been on the back burner for years. I've seen some of the stuff they started on it and reportadly the cast from the original was gonna be in it. A couple years ago even imdb.com got frustrated enough to close down the page for it. *lol* The official site is still up....altho I doubt any work has been done on it. http://www.the-last-unicorn.net

There's gonna be a stage adaption this fall in Chicago tho.

[ThirdMarioBro]

Man, they ran out of ideas for new fantasy films, so they decided to just remake the entire 80s catalog. Here's looking forward to the remakes of the remakes in 20 years.

I swear, we'll live to see Star Wars remade in our lifetimes. Count on it.

[Cure]

Originally Posted by ThirdMarioBro

I swear, we'll live to see Star Wars remade in our lifetimes. Count on it.

You say this like it's a bad thing.