Beaks here...

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

In all seriousness, I don't have much of a problem with producers Michael De Luca, Alison Rosenzweig and Michael Gaeta developing a remake of ANGEL HEART. Though I think the original is an immensely creepy "voodoo noir" with a fantastic lead performance from Mickey Rourke, it's also an Alan Parker movie, which means it can't help but be half-full of shit*. It was also based on a novel by William Hjortsberg's called FALLING ANGEL, so it's possible that there's room for interpretation. According to De Luca (per Variety), that's kinda the idea:

"It's a great blend of genres with a great Faustian bargain, compelling, universal themes and a rare combination of literary and commercial appeal."

The trick now will be finding a director who can evoke the requisite New Orleans atmosphere without shamelessly aping Parker's aesthetic (Scott Derrickson comes to mind). And then there's the matter of casting a new Harry Angel. Even though Rourke claims he just "showed up" on ANGEL HEART, I can't think of a single thirtysomething actor working today who can show up like he did back in 1987. Recasting Louis Cypher should be a party, too, since Robert De Niro didn't exactly blow as the mysterious figure who hires Harry to track down a missing crooner named Johnny Favorite.

Y'know, I'm being too hard on Parker's ANGEL HEART. It's very effective the first time around, and is well worth seeing. But that story could be done differently. And better. It'll be interesting to see who De Luca brings on to adapt the novel.

*I was going to say PINK FLOYD THE WALL is the exception, but, come to think of it, that stylish muddle of celebrity and fascism is the fucking poster child for "half-full of shit". I haven't seen SHOOT THE MOON in years, but I remember that being fairly authentic; perhaps that's the exception. Let's leave BUGSY MALONE out of it.