Many names have been in the running for a remake ofLord of the Fliesover the years.Taika Waititiwanted it to be directed by a Polynesian filmmaker. TheSuspiriaremake directorLuca Guadagninowas in talks at one point to produce the remake as well. However, no projects have materialized so far. This is a shame since many people are familiar with the story because of its popularity as a reading book in schools.
There is an untapped audience that has a familiarity with the novel that would make the theme curious to see a remake. Apart from that, the movie versions ofLord of the Flieswe have so thus far, are far from definitive. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons we need a modernLord of the Fliesremake.
Updated Visuals
The premier adaptation of William Golding’s book series so far was done in black and white in 1963. While black and white is still a filmmaking decision used today that can enhance a film’s style and experience, it is inaccessible to many modern moviegoers. The story has all the right elements to resonate with a modern audience, and with a modern visual style, it could be a harrowing film experience. Some adaptations of Golding’s work fail to steer clear of campy elements, often because of filmmaking standards at the time and the necessity of using child actors in the roles. Modern filmmaking visuals are excellent at playing around child-acting performances that make them seem less noticeable.
Child Acting Is Hard to Get Right
Both versions ofLord of the Fliesstruggle with their child acting performances. The acting makes the boys seem like they are waiting on the cues to their lines off-screen. This takes the viewer out of the story. A modern remake ofLord of the Flieswould have to nail this element of child actors being believable. With the popularity of shows likeStranger Thingsthat show that kid actors can carry a show, a modern remake ofLord of the Fliescould take the lessons there to deliver a gripping and immersive experience for the audience.
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The Themes Are More Relevant Than Ever
A modern audience would really take to the themes that a remake ofLord of the Fliescould make. The growing pains of building civilization are felt in society, and the dangers of mobs and political fracturing often make people feel that the social experiment of civilization is at a breaking point. The true nature of humankind is constantly at the forefront of today’s discussions. Every day, we are bombarded with videos that showcase the worst things that humanity has to offer. A modern remake ofLord of the Fliescould provide some commentary on the way society has changed since the novel was published and the last remake was released.
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We Need a Version That Lives Up to the Book
While the 1963 version is often seen as a classic film masterpiece, it does drop the ball as an adaptation in some areas. The ending is very rushed and doesn’t hit with any emotional resonance. As mentioned earlier, even series with similar premises, likeLost,often botch their endings. The premise is so good that it makes an average ending feel subpar. Still, this version managed to place in thetop films on the National Board of Review in 1963. It also earned a Palme dÓr nomination at the Cannes Film Festival in the same year.
A tricky part of adapting a book into a movie is that books deal with metaphors much better than movies can. Movies have to literally show events happening on-screen, which muddies the presentation of themes that someone is supposed to take away. A good adaptation needs to find a way to not make some of the metaphors so literal, perhaps by holding back on some of the violence and making it more about what the violence is supposed to represent.
The Best Version So Far Is in Black and White
The originalLord of the Fliesadaption came out in 1963. Since then, it received a remake in 1990 with the same title. However, that version didn’t really do the original film or the book justice.ThisLord of the Flieshas a middling rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Many reviewers cite the film’s clumsy execution and the large shadow of the previous version as major weaknesses. They say the film lacks tension and is unfaithful to the source material. It also has a lot of corny and campy elements, which people weren’t necessarily looking for. Since the premise of the story is so dark in an audience’s mind, a version that doesn’t take the source material seriously rubs people the wrong way. The 1963 version is seen as a masterpiece by comparison.
