As the highly anticipated sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, gears up for release later this year, accomplished director Tim Burton is preparing to dive into his next ambitious project. He is set to helm a remake of the 1950s cult classic science-fiction film Attack of the 50 Foot Woman for Warner Bros.
The choice of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman aligns perfectly with Burton’s distinctive style. His critically-acclaimed 1994 film, Ed Wood, delved into the world of a filmmaker whose creations mirrored the campy allure of films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. Furthermore, his 1996 flick, Mars Attacks!, paid homage to 1950s science-fiction cinema, showcasing Burton’s affinity for the genre.
Burton is collaborating with novelist and screenwriter Gillian Flynn, known for her dark, psychologically dense works like Gone Girl and Sharp Objects, for the project. While Flynn may be treading unfamiliar ground with this sci-fi classic, her venture into the genre was evident in the 2020 Amazon series Utopia. Flynn, recognised for her gripping narratives, maintains a busy schedule, recently announcing an adaptation of her novel Dark Places into a miniseries for HBO.
Originally made on a shoestring budget of US$88,000 in 1958, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman offered a unique twist on the prevalent ‘giant monster’ (now more commonly known as ‘kaiju‘) sci-fi films of the era. The story follows troubled heiress Nancy Archer, who undergoes an otherworldly transformation after encountering a UFO, leading to colossal chaos.
Burton’s remake, produced in collaboration with Andrew Mittman (Elvis, Wednesday) and Tommy Harper (Star Trek Beyond, Spiderhead), is poised to breathe new life into this iconic monster movie. The film, still lacking a release date, promises Burton’s signature whimsy and flair, coupled with Flynn’s narrative prowess, to reimagine this classic tale for a contemporary audience.
Edwin is a seasoned raconteur with a lifelong passion for video games, comic books, movies, and more. He thrives on captivating stories and immersive world-building, with a soft spot for adorable monsters.
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