Dredd Review Thread (Use Spoiler Tags)

[GORT]

I suddenly have some craveing for re-cycled food

[GreenScar]

One of the potentially big movies up for grabs at this year's Cannes Film Festival is a 3D relaunch of the 2000 A.D. character Judge Dredd in a new movie directed by Pete Travis (Vantage Point) from screenplay by Alex Garland (28 Days Later). There was word a few years back that there was a new Judge Dredd movie in development at 20th Century Fox with artist Jock, co-creator of The Losers, being involved in the production art, but with Fox out of the picture, producer Andrew Macdonald's DNA Films has been joined by Indian financier Reliance Big to move the project forward. Previously Sylvester Stallone played Dredd in a 1995 dud directed by Danny Cannon which grossed $113.5 million worldwide, but was considered a bomb due to its $70 million plus budget. MacDonald and co. plan on returning to the original comics, created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra, for reference on the movie that's reported to cost under $50 million.

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[LordCrumb]

Great to hear its still happening, I wonder if Sly will be back (probably not though, if its going to be a re-boot). I really enjoyed Judge Dredd. One of the first movies I ever bought on VHS.

"I am, the law!"

[The New Fury]

Damn, sounds like the stars are aligned for this remake! A lot of talent going behind this one. I hope they get a good cast for this one!

[walter stark]

i hope they have another crack at it.
Dredd was meant to be a more violent, hard beating character which would be more tolerated now a days and it would be kool to see him as he has been in the 2000 AD comics

[Propellarhead9]

I'm interested to see who all gets casted for the movie and how it pans out.

[WyldeMan45]

Hoping to wipe away the memories of the campy-at-best Judge Dredd from 1995 starring Sylvester Stallone, a new adaptation of the 2000 AD comic-book character is on the way. We first reported on the new version back in December 2008 and in September of last year, we heard that writer Alex Garland (28 Days Later) had turned in a “great” script, which Pete Travis (Vantage Point) will direct. For those who aren’t familiar with the property, it revolves around a group of enforcers known as “Judges” who serve as police, judge, jury and executioner. Dredd and his fellow Judges are empowered to arrest, sentence and even execute criminals on the spot. It’s brutal, but think of the savings to taxpayers! (Obviously, I’m being sarcastic, but the comic actually feature a good deal of ironic humor.)

Today, we’ve received a press release informing us that the new film is budgeted at $45 million, is set to begin filming in the fourth quarter of 2010 in Johannesburg, and will be in 3D. Hit the jump to read the full press release, including a quote from Garland about his attrack to the project.

Here’s the press release:

Reliance BIG Pictures, together with IM Global, the international sales company that Reliance acquired only last week, will finance DNA’s 3D production of JUDGE DREDD, a $45 million film adaptation of the iconic 2000 AD comic-book character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra.

Filming will take place over the fourth quarter of 2010 in Johannesburg.

JUDGE DREDD is being made by the writer/producer partnership behind The Beach, 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, Sunshine, and Never Let Me Go. Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich will produce a script written by Garland.

Pete Travis, director of Omagh, Vantage Point, and Endgame will direct. Wagner will be a creative consultant on the film.

DNA has engaged Michael Murphy (District 9) as South African co-producer.

Jason Kingsley and Chris Kingsley, owners of Rebellion/2000 AD, will co-produce.

Said John Wagner: ‘Alex Garland’s script is faithful to the original concept that made Judge Dredd a favourite bad-ass hero. It’s a high-octane slay ride through the dark underbelly of the vast future city. A fan pleaser. With their track record, I have every faith in Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich.’

Said Alex Garland: ‘I grew up reading Judge Dredd. The incredible writers and artists of 2000 AD were formative influences on me. Andrew, Allon and I have developed this adaptation of Judge Dredd with an emphasis on adrenaline and realism, but with all the scale and spectacle of Mega-City One. We think Pete’s propulsive, edgy style is a perfect match for the project.’

The deal was negotiated on behalf of Reliance by IM Global CEO Stuart Ford assisted by attorneys Strook and Strook with DNA principals Macdonald and Reich, DNA head of business affairs Jo Smith, and Miles Ketley of Wiggin & Co. Ford’s IM Global will handle international sales on the project.

[DetroitSportsFan]

This has potential. Depends on who plays Dredd though...

[Snowmaker]

Originally Posted by DetroitSportsFan

This has potential. Depends on who plays Dredd though...

Probably be Sam Worthington or Gerard Butler. They're in everything lately.

[Propellarhead9]

Originally Posted by Snowmaker

Probably be Sam Worthington or Gerard Butler. They're in everything lately.

wouldn't surprise me at all.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by Propellarhead9

wouldn't surprise me at all.

Worthington has about 5 projects he's doing in the next two years lol, he's the new Sam Jackson, only far more talented and yells a lot less.

[walter stark]

could see butler doing it as he's older and got a broad chin, lol
honestly an unknown or a older actor could do it as Dredd is meant to be a bit mature because he's a Judge.

i hope he keeps his helmit on as there was an outrage in the first film becuase he never did that in any of the comics.

[WyldeMan45]

Rumor: Karl Urban is the Law in the New Judge Dredd

Last year we learned Sunshine writer Alex Garland was taking a crack at a new adaptation of the futuristic comic book Judge Dredd. Then a couple months ago it was announced that Pete Travis (of Vantage Point) would be sitting in the director's chair, plus that we'd see the comic book coming to life in 3D no less. Now Bleeding Cool has apparently found out who may be stepping into the shoes once filled by Sylvester Stallone in the universe where law enforcement officers are given the power to act as judge, jury and executioner to dish out justice. Karl Urban (Star Trek, Lord of the Rings) may just be the man who will become the law.

Honestly, I like the idea of Karl Urban stepping into a lead role like this (I've always actually been interested in him playing some sort of superhero, maybe even Superman) so this sounds perfect. It's just sad that one of the clauses on the deal for the film dictates that Judge Dredd never remove his helmet, so we'll never see his face. Urban is on the verge of a major breakthrough as a leading man after a phenomenal supporting role as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, not to mention other great performances as Eomer in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and an assassin in The Bourne Supremacy. Let's hope that he'll accept the offer rather than stating, "For God's sake, I'm a doctor not a law man!" So do you like the idea of Karl Urban as Judge Dredd?

[X400]

Stallones Judge Dredd was @#$*^@#&* AWESSSSOMMMMMMMEE

I know a lot of critics dogged and it didnt do too great but it makes no sense it was a great stallone flick and it looked great too

[RocShemp]

ALthough I enjoyed the Stallone movie, it commited the unforgiveable sin of showing Dredd's face. I hope the remake doesn't follow suit.

And I hope we get the original cut of the Stallone outting on a BD to coincide with the theatrical release of the remake.

[WyldeMan45]

Originally Posted by RocShemp

ALthough I enjoyed the Stallone movie, it commited the unforgiveable sin of showing Dredd's face. I hope the remake doesn't follow suit.

What was the more unforgivable sin, Dredd wearing his helmet in 3% of the movie, or making Rob Scheider his co-star?

The article I posted last night says there is a clause in the contract that for whoever stars will not be allowed to remove their helmet.

[X400]

it'd be killer if Stallone did a cameo

didn't Stallone want to make his version more bloody and alike with the comic? but the studio wouldn't let it fly?

[RocShemp]

Originally Posted by WyldeMan45

The article I posted last night says there is a clause in the contract that for whoever stars will not be allowed to remove their helmet.

As it should be.

I actually liked Schneider as the comic relief. It allowed Dredd to be as dry as possible without turning off the non-fans in the audience.

As for the original cut of the movie, I recall Stallone mentioning (way back during its release) that it was always shot with a PG-13 in mind. However, the MPAA was hammering them real hard for every little thing. Even after they cut the movie to shreds, the MPAA still kept giving them an R rating. So they said "f**k it" and released their final cut with an R rating.

Personally, I wish they'd simply released the first cut of the movie as there were clear cuts throughout. For instance, the clones are activated during the finale and yet Dredd never faces them. It really irked me because, prior to seeing it in theatres, I'd seen in a magazine (Fangoria, I believe) pictures of Dredd blasting away at the clones with a shotgun.

[TheWildWhelk]

No amount of re-editing could save the stallone film. The R2 dvd isn't even enhanced for widescreen tv's! The team behind the new Dredd film may have a limited budget of $50m, though hopefully filming in south africa will stretch it further. Urban is a solid choice for Dredd, and apparently is an old school 2000ad reader. I really do wish 'em all the best, because a Judge Dredd film done right should kick serious arse!

[Foggy]

Karl Urban says Judge Dredd is looking good.

MTV's Josh Horowitz got a chance to talk to Bruce Willis and Karl Urban about their upcoming film Red, and he got in a word with Urban about the ongoing rumor about his involvement in a reboot of the Judge Dredd film franchise.

Of course, it can hardly be called a franchise, as the Sylvester Stallone film from 1994 was more a stinker than a success, but fans have always loved the character and apparently, so does Urban. The actor told Horowitz that "he can't talk about much but...it's looking good" when asked about whether or not he would don the helmet of the Judge, Jury and Executioner.

Urban also talked about his love for the comics that spawned the film and that it would be "a privilege to be involved" in the production.

The Judge Dredd reboot is scheduled for a 2012 release and will be directed by Pete Travis (Vantage Point).