Coen Brothers’ Next is a Remake

Published by Jeff Leins on March 23, 2009

The Oscar-winning Coen brothers are remaking True Grit, originally starring John Wayne in 1969.

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen are teaming up with producer Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men) for a more “faithful” adaptation of the Charles Portis novel.  While the original film was a vehicle for Wayne’s Oscar win, the Coen brothers intend to steer the focus back to the source material.

In the book a 14-year-old girl tracks her father’s killer across Indian territory with the help of an old U.S. marshal and another lawman.  The Coens have written a new screenplay adaptation that puts the girl front and center again.

It’s a shame even the Coen brothers have fallen into the remake trap of the Hollywood studios.  They’ve consistently created original works of cinema.  Now they have sadly given in to the current trend to redo everything from the past.  It’s the Coens, so it will probably be brilliant.  I just wish they had stayed true… grit.

The Coens are known for working with talent more than once, so speculate on casting.  Josh Brolin for John Wayne’s role?  George Clooney?  Brad Pitt?