In a riveting collision of talent, acclaimed Director Tim Burton is set to join forces with renowned author Gillian Flynn, most well-known for her spellbinding thriller, “Gone Girl”, to revitalize the 1958 sci-fi horror classic “Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman.” This thrilling alliance not only signals an exhilarating reinvention of an iconic film but also propounds a fresh lens into a story emanating from the space between societal norms and fanciful disruption.
According to Variety’s exclusive report, Warner Bros. Studios will host this project where Burton is to skilfully helm the directorship while Flynn weaves the screenplay. The original film spun a tale of an ordinary woman who, post her encounter with a mysterious alien, grows into massive proportions and vindictively uses her newfound size to settle scores with her philandering husband. This unique premise paved the way for an engaging narrative that made the protagonist a force to reckon with.
Released during Hollywood’s golden age, the 1958 “Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman” starred Allison Hayes, William Hudson, and Yvette Vickers in pivotal roles, all evoking terror coupled with sympathy within spectators. It was created within a modest budget of $88,000 but managed to leave an indelible mark in the annals of sci-fi horror cinema. On Rotten Tomatoes, it presently holds a critics score of 71% and a significantly lower audience rating of 21%.
While the specifics of what the remake will entail remain undisclosed, the film industry attempted multiple recreations of the original, with varying degrees of success. The most notable of them includes HBO’s 1993 version directed by Christopher Guest and several spinoffs that twisted the tale to suit different narratives – evident in the parody “Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold” (1995) and a 3D spectacle called “Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader” in 2012.
Flynn, a 52-year-old luminary, is quite conversant with Hollywood’s dynamics. Her repertoire encompasses an impressive collection of award-winning works such as the HBO series adaptation of her book “Sharp Objects,” the screenplay for the thriller “Gone Girl,” and her shared screenplay for “Widows” (2018).
As for Burton, the 65-year-old director, he has etched his signature style in Gothic horror and fantasy, making him a celebrated Hollywood mainstay. His contribution to the film industry spans over bevy spectacles of various genres with noted works like “Beetlejuice” (1988), “Edward Scissorhands” (1990), and “Batman” (1989). Furthermore, he has also successfully ventured into musicals and is currently engaged in the much-anticipated “Beetlejuice” sequel.
This multifaceted collaboration between Tim Burton and Gillian Flynn invites us to reimagine a tale as old as time but as progressive as its context calls for. It puts forth an opportune narrative to discuss the space of women in society through an extraordinary premise. With Burton’s acclaimed filmography and Flynn’s knack for constructing well-nuanced characters, their combined efforts could lead to a profound reimagination of the original “Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman” and an equally impactful commentary on societal norms. As we await the unveiling of this take on an iconic film, spectators can look forward to a potentially brilliant convergence of classic horror, contemporary societal commentary, and the unmistakable Burton-Flynn magic.
