‘The Thin Man’ Remake 101: Johnny Depp, Rachel Weisz, and a Martini Shaker

Johnny Depp, Nick Charles in The Thin ManA while back, I wrote a post about how ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ would be the best of the franchise, and happened to mention that Johnny Depp would be starring in the upcoming remake of ‘The Thin Man.’

Wow! The commenters immediately glommed onto that and forgot all about the ‘Pirates’ movies. It’ll be a challenge to re-create the magic of William Powell and Myrna Loy as ex-detective Nick Charles and his wife Nora, the playfully married couple that solves murders mostly for the fun of it, usually in an alcoholic haze. And let’s not forget their little dog Asta, as well known for being a crossword clue as a movie character.

The franchise started with a novel by Dashiell Hammett, then came the 1934 movie and a series of sequels, as well as a TV series starring Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk as the snappy couple. That show ran from 1957 to 1959, although let’s face it, Powell and Loy are the penultimate Nick and Nora. If I said the name “Peter Lawford,” would you think of Nick Charles? No, you’d think of the Rat Pack or the Kennedys.

Nick and Nora Charles, The Thin Man
"Say, would you mind putting that gun away? My wife doesn't care, but I'm a very timid fellow."

If anyone can re-inhabit the role of Nick Charles, it’d be Johnny Depp. He’s perfect for the role, but I sure hope he doesn’t goof it up. I’m pullin’ for him.

Here’s what we know about the remake of Warner Bros.’ ‘The Thin Man,’ scheduled for a 2013 release:

As mentioned, Johnny Depp will play Nick Charles. Rumor has it that Rachel Weisz is being considered for the role of Nora, and ok, I can see that.  Who else could do justice to the snappy comebacks? Maybe Emma Roberts? She’s a little young, so maybe someone like Emily Blunt?

Rob Marshall (‘Pirates 4,’ ‘Nine,’ Memoirs of a Geisha’) is directing. Depp is producing, along with Christi Dembrowski and Kevin McCormick.

Jerry Stahl will pen the screenplay. He doesn’t have a lot of commercial movies to his name, which, quite frankly, might be an asset. He wrote the screenplay for ‘Bad Boys II,’ as well as the 1998 heroin memoir ‘Permanent Midnight.’  He also wrote a lot of episodes for ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,’ so I’m hoping he doesn’t turn Nick and Nora into a dark tragedy.

Warner Bros. is planning on retaining the period setting of the movie, but give it a modern feel. I’m picturing something along the lines of ‘Sherlock Holmes.’

That’s about all we know at the moment, but I’ll keep you posted as I hear more news. Check out the (3-minute long!) trailer for the original movie below. Nice that it’s centered on Dashiell Hammett. So often with book-based movies now, you never hear much about the author, without whom there would be no movie.

Are you excited about ‘The Thin Man’ remake? Or are you sick of remakes and think we should let the original stand for itself?

Comments

26 responses to “‘The Thin Man’ Remake 101: Johnny Depp, Rachel Weisz, and a Martini Shaker”

  1. Melanie Haiken Avatar

    Nick and Nora are absolute icons, from the smoking jackets, peignoirs and constant intake of matinis to the repartee. I’m sorry, but I just can’t imagine Rachel Weisz in such a glamorous role – yikes! Johnny Depp has attained that Parisian je-ne-sais-quois but she is way too clompy. I’d love to see Marian Cotillard in the role if she could manage the English unaccented!

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Marion Cotillard would be perfect! Good call.

  2. Casey Avatar

    Well, they’re gonna remake it whether we want them to or not, so we might as well lobby for good casting. I vote Emily Blunt!

  3. Jane Boursaw ( Avatar

    Will Johnny Depp rock it as Nick Charles? The Thin Man Remake 101: http://t.co/rFwgmKg #nickcharles #movies #film #wsbr

  4. Jane Boursaw ( Avatar

    How will Johnny Depp fare as Nick Charles? The Thin Man Remake 101: http://t.co/rFwgmKg #movies #film #wsbr

  5. Alexandra Avatar

    I’m excited! I loved the TV series. Actually, when someone says Peter Lawford, I think of him in The Thin Man.

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Interesting that you think of Lawford in The Thin Man TV series! I guess it just depends on everyone’s background and viewing habits. Ok, now I’m going to have to see if that show is available on DVD or Netflix, to revisit him in that role.

  6. Melanie Avatar

    I could actually see Rachael as Nora. Also in the goss, she’s just married Daniel Craig!

  7. Living Large Avatar

    I think Johnny Depp will be great. And remakes? They’re certainly better than most “original” things Hollywood comes up with! 🙂

  8. Kris Bordessa ( Avatar

    Can’t go wrong w/Depp! RT @reellifejane: How will Johnny Depp fare as Nick Charles? The Thin Man Remake 101: http://t.co/rFwgmKg

  9. ruth pennebaker Avatar

    I’m pretty sure Johnny Depp can do anything, even this. I’m wondering how Nick’s constant drinking will be handled in these more abstemious times, though. Do you know Nora was based on Lillian Hellman?

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Oh cool. I had no idea Nora was based on Lillian Hellman. Makes sense, though, since she and Dashiell Hammett lived together on and off for decades.

  10. MyKidsEatSquid Avatar

    I like remakes too. I’m thinking Emily Blunt would be my vote, alto I’m not familiar with The Thin Man.

  11. Vera Marie Badertscher Avatar

    Personally, I think Johnny Depp can do just about anything. I need to think about the actress, though. It is hard to find someone with the sophistication of Nora Charles. Unlike Melanie, I think Johnny Depp can pull off that period, Cole Porter, wisecracking, slightly snobbish bit quite well. Can’t wait for this one!

  12. merr Avatar
    merr

    How will Johnny Depp fare? He’s amazing in all his work – that’s my prediction!

  13. Donna Hull Avatar

    The Thin Man remake will revive some great boomer memories. Can’t wait to see it.

  14. Parkerhawn Vintage Avatar

    you have all lost your minds. Depp is a mistake in my opinion. Clooney and Debra Messing. Both actors can pull of the Nick & Nora look, witt, charm and chemistry.

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      You know what? Clooney and Messing would be an awesome Nick and Nora! Thanks for putting that out there – maybe someone will pay attention.

  15. Audrey Avatar
    Audrey

    I don’t know about Johnny Depp, he’s a fairly versatile actor, but it’s going to be hard to do justice to William Powell who was Nick Charles…Powell is iconic in that role, and I still watch it to this day on DVD. I really was a little disappointed in the Sherlock Holmes movie, it felt like it was rushed, too much fillers, although I did like that they kept the sex pretty much out of it, but then you had the special effects. I mean, special effects can help movies, but it just feels like fillers to me, I want a real movie like they use to have. One where the movie was around two hours and didn’t have an hour of sex, and another hour of special effects that weren’t needed, and where the storyline made sense. And for goodness sake, if you are going to make a remake of something think about why you/people want the remake done, because they loved the original, so don’t screw it up. I’m not saying do it word for word, or scene by scene like the old one, but don’t add a bunch of crap either. And as for an actress to play Nora, I sort of like Zooey Deschanel, she’s got that snappy dry sense of humor that might make it interesting. I just hope they get someone good. Remember: DON’T SCREW IT UP!

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Oh, you mean back in the days when a movie actually relied on people’s ACTING talents and chemistry. I like to think those days aren’t gone, but the jury’s still out on that one. And if only there were some original ideas in Hollywood these days. Dirty Dancing and Footloose remakes? How about an original dance movie, people?

  16. […] few — new ideas in Hollywood. We’ve got upcoming remakes of Footloose, Dirty Dancing, The Thin Man, Robocop, Total Recall, The Great Gatsby, Dune, The Three Musketeers, Judge Dredd, and The Lone […]

  17. Goldie Green Avatar
    Goldie Green

    Oh cool. I had no idea Nora was based on Lillian Hellman.

  18. maestro48239 Avatar
    maestro48239

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Please dont do this!!! why mess with perfection? they will NEVER find anyone in my humble opinion that has the onscreen chemistry of Powell and Loy.

    I know that Hollyweird has run out of ideas, and there are a ton of old movies that could possibly be remade, but Sweet mother of GOD!!! Leave this alone! It cant be done successfully and shouldn’t be redone.

    and as for the movie itself, it it turns into a special effects extravaganza, then I’m going to California and burning Hollywood to the ground! mainly for the fact that the Thin Man isnt about special effects, it’s about superb acting and razor sharp repartee!

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      God help us, if they ruin it, we’ll have to storm Hollywood with torches!

  19. Beverly Thornton Avatar
    Beverly Thornton

    they will NEVER find anyone in my humble opinion that has the onscreen chemistry of Powell and Loy. I know that Hollyweird has run out of ideas, and there are a ton of old movies that could possibly be remade, but Sweet mother of GOD!!! Do you know Nora was based on Lillian Hellman? Oh, you mean back in the days when a movie actually relied on people’s ACTING talents and chemistry.

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Sing it, Sister! I’m with you.

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