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Suddenly the hot writing job at Warner Bros is the 76-year old film The Thin Man, because Johnny Depp wants to remake it with his Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides director Rob Marshall. The studio already has put together a short list of Terry Rossio, Jerry Stahl and Christopher McQuarrie, each of whom have worked previously with Depp. And like the actor, they are fans of the Dashiell Hammett novel and the series of six MGM films that starred William Powell and Myrna Loy. Depp sparked to playing the role of Nick, who marries a young socialite and settles into a life of drinking and occasional sleuthing. No word on who’ll play Norah. 
“The Thin Man has long been a favorite of mine and with Rob at the helm, I know we’re in great hands,” Depp said. Added Warner Bros Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov: “There is no one more perfectly suited to portray Nick Charles than Johnny Depp.” Depp and his Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski are producing with Langley Park’s Kevin McCormick. As a Warner Bros production executive, McCormick worked with Depp on such films as Sweeney Todd and Dark Shadows. The intention is to take elements of the first two films and work them into one film. It will be true to the period, in a Sherlock Holmes-like stylized treatment. They also intend to use Marshall’s talents as a choreographer and work in a musical number or two. Despite the excitement, Depp has plenty to keep him busy. He’s booked to star with Tim Burton in Dark Shadows, along with Tom Hanks he is circling the Kathryn Bigelow-directed Triple Frontier (aka Sleeping Dogs), and he is eyeing a re-team with his original Pirates director Gore Verbinski in The Lone Ranger.
Word of the Thin Man deal broke first in Vulture.
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It flies or dies with the new Nora.
Yes, it does! They better get this right dammit. I adore this series, William, Myrna and Asta.
Save the $$$$. If this idea were a stock, I`d back up the truck and short it.
I loved this series. I hope they get it right. Start thinking of the stylish, sophisticated Nora and who to cast.
I am a huge fan of the original and I’m not even sure I want to see a remake,it seems unnecessary. If it’s going to be made,I’d like to see Amy Adams cast as Nora.
Nooooooo. Not Johnny Depp. Not at all the right person to play this part!
This idea does not sit well with me at all. Maybe thats a little grumpy, but there are some movies that are better off left alone, (ahem, Willy Wonka). Also, as someone who didn’t watch the Thin Man movies until a couple of years ago, I can’t think how disappointing it would have been to see the newer version first. I mean, Powell and Loy should be what I see when I think of these characters.
Interestingly enough, I just bought the novel by Hammett, so perhaps there were many folks that were angry to see the novel made into the original movie, and they may have even thought the movie ruined the story!
So, I’ll just put a vote in for Cate Blanchett as Nora, and see what goes down. (But I reserve the right to complain about the movie if it turns out like Wonka….all those kids who will see Gene Wilder after Depp, if at all, and not have Wilder’s face and voice in that role just makes me sad.)
I agree. Hollywood has a bad record of re-doing movies. Not only Willy Wonka, but also King Kong, and True Grit. Nothing can beat the original versions. I liked Depp In Public Enemies, so I am opened to him doing this. Lets hope they do it right, along with Dark Shadows, no vampires killing people with their tongues.
So who should play Nora? My picks are Angelina Jolie, Naomi Watts or Cameron Diaz. Just someone age-appropriate for Depp, okay?
Nora? It’s Asta I’m worried about! Warners could turn him into a chimp or something!
I loved Asta, oh were there people in that series too. They gotta get the right pooch or they’re wasting their time.
I’m a big proponent of age appropriate co-stars but if you read the novel you will discover that Nick is considerably older than Nora. So, having an actress in her early to mid-20s would fit the best. If you want to stay true to the novel, that is.
Helena Bonham Carter, Elizabeth Banks, Isla FIsher would be great. Not so sure about Cameron Diaz, really not sure.
OMG, YES!!!!! Helena Bonham Carter!!! I can hear and see the banter now. Loved her in Fight Club.
I certainly can understand Depp’s attraction to the property. But so often, a remake/reimagining even done with the best of intentions, manages to suck the magic right out of the premise. I’m skeptical.
@Nick Stagger – totally agree. They will need to find an exceptional comic “straight man” to play Nora.
A remake of the classic is great but Robert Downey, Jr. as Nick.
OMG you’re absolutely right. Now I’m bummed.
I agree – Downey would be awesome! I mean Johnny is great, but I don’t see him doing witty banter. Naomi Watts has the sophisticated look and charm…I don’t know if I’ve seen her in a comedy since Tank Girl.
Sacrilege. The original is one of THE best mystery-comedy adaptations of all time. I love Depp but he can’t hold a candle to William Powell. And, let’s face it, people, there isn’t an actress who can top Loy either. Just go home.
I concur. Myrna Loy and William Powell are simply irreplaceable, and their chemistry could never be repeated with today’s actors. It will end up as a pale imitation with hokey delivery resembling what Fox did with the weak Rock Hudson/Doris Day homage, “Down with Love.” “Pillow Talk” and “Lover Come Back” it was not. Please, they’re classics for a reason.
Amen and Ditto to no more remakes. let’s leave the classics alone and let the younger generations have the chance to experience the originals rather than sacreligous remakes i.e. Sabrina.
AMEN AMEN, you are right as can be……..
This.
No Angelina, Hell no. She is too much of an anachronism, too modern a being. I would go for Isla Fisher or Helena Bonham Carter, or someone who could be considered a “nod” to Myrna Loy but who isn’t trying to be her. These movies succeed on the strength of the characters personalities, the witty banter, and the drinking. Not on the mystery or the solving of it. If they try to make a movie that is more whodunit and less “zinging” dialogue then they don’t have a clue what the movies were about.
Are you sure you mean, anachronism? (something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time). Although I agree with you I think it might be good for Angie to stretch THAT acting muscle. Other wise Helena Bonham Carter was made for these types of roles; quirky, quick, and that…..voice.
“Anachronism” seems accurate to me, as in, Angelina is too modern a being and so she would be an anachronism in a film with a old school/classic/silver screen sensibility. She did tone it down with “The Changeling”, but I don’t think she has the right “vibe” for Nora. All opinion, of course.
If they keep this exchange from the original, they’ll be all right.
Nick Charles: I’m a hero. I was shot twice in the Tribune.
Nora Charles: I read where you were shot 5 times in the tabloids.
Nick Charles: It’s not true. He didn’t come anywhere near my tabloids.
LOFL!!!!! I well remember that exchange! Tks!!!
That still makes me laugh-even reading it. Classic. DO.NOT.TOUCH.
Sorry I love the originals, no one but William Powell and Myrna Loy can play Nick and Nora Charles. And don’t forget Asta the dog! Sigh, just watch the old movie, don’t remake it.
TINA FEY! TINA FEY! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TINA FEY! She’s perfect!
I love this idea!
GAWD NO!
Don’t remake it would be my advice and Depp should try doing something original for a change. Dark Shadows, the Lone Ranger etc. Has Hollywood just stopped trying?
Once again, Michael Caine’s advice on David Frost: “Remake the bad movies, not the good ones.”
There are no original thoughts in Hollywood. Remakes, comic books, TV shows, redone, redone, redone.
Where are the Aaron Spellings, Irwin Allens, the Curtiz’s, the Hawks, the Fords, the Welles? Please Hollywood, no more remakes or reimaginings.
There are great directors out there, but they’re not thinking. Why not?
I think Rose Byrne would be perfect for the role of Nora Charles. She even looks a little like Myrna Loy.
Jeff Eastin, creator of USA’s WHITE COLLAR is the perfect scribe to tackle the script. That show has a similar fun pace and quippy dialogue as those old movies. I watch them anytime they are on TCM.
It seems awfully narrow minded to knock something without knowing the details. It sounds great to say people should just watch the original. That rarely happens. Out of a thousand people, you might find 4 or 5 who sit around watching 50 and 60 year old movies. If an updated version of an old film has the right screenplay and actors, it gives a lot of people a great film experience. As far os the “nothing but remakes” complaining, just think…films as we know them are around 100 years old. For the first 50 years, there were few remakes. Lots of new ideas. It’s not terribly unusual that all these years later, they are looking at things from the distant past. Just think of all the rip offs from the Bible, in films from the 50′s.
I can’t see Johnny Depp as Nick Charles. William Powell owned that part. Please leave it alone.
Pick Tina Fey so I won’t waste my money seeing it.
At least they aren’t using Di Caprio for a change…for God’s sake.
We don’t have any real actresses anymore.
Myrna Loy had great comedic skills. Nora Charles was an elegant socialite, who was somewhat detached from reality, and married below her social standing. Amy Adams has the look and the skill to play the part.
The Myrna Loy archetype isn’t really played these days. The last one who might have had a chance as “so smart she’s even sexier than she first appears” would have been Jodie Foster. Actresses today are either lovable (Sandra Bullock), sexy and strong but not super intelligent-appearing (Naomi Watts), cute but outright dumb (too many to mention) or into playing regal, not matter the role (Jolie).l Others like Jennifer Garner look good in an evening dress but always appear a bit childish or goofy. There’s only one possibility and who knows if Rob Marshall can direct her as well as, say, Gus Van Sant did: Nicole Kidman.
The worst would be Cameron Diaz, she is not cool enough AND she doesn’t seem smart. Naomi Watts, she is fabulous and smart. Isla Fisher good but maybe too young. Not Angelina!!!! No! She takes herself WAY TOO seriously.
Amy Adams. She has the spark, the sass and a classic sexiness. If you haven’t, check out “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.”
Rebecca Hall (Frost/Nixon, Vicky Cristina Barcelona)
Naomi Watts or Reese Witherspoon could play Nora. No one is really like Myra Loy, they broke the mold after her, but they’re going to remake these films so you might as well get used to it. Just not Julia Roberts, please. Or Katheryn Heigel or Kate Hudson.
Lori Petty. Lori Petty. Lori Petty. She would be a great Nora Charles. The sparks would fly with Petty and Depp.
Ok, I know this will seem weird, but Kate Hudson as Nora. Nora’s power was seemingly being s rich, ditsy broad who actually was sharp as a tack. But being born rich she could seem la-de-dah to most people. All depends on the writing. Nora slums with the best of them. As for Nick I hope Depp could do it, just not sure. Downey would be awesome or better, Clooney.
Please don’t. Though I would be totally on board with a “Hart to Hart” feature. Which is pretty much the same and you could improve on that thing without annihilating the original.