Cronenberg's The Fly - Take 2

Hand to God truth, I was talking to my mother last week when she said that my ol man and her caught the original 1958 version of The Fly on television for the first time. Both were surprised to learn that the David Cronenberg/Jeff Goldblum take from 1986 (which they’re big fans of) was actually a remake of that. I know, I know. But to fair, they’re not “movie people.” That and they procreated thus resulting in me. So it’s all good.

It’s with that sense of irony that THR’s Risky Biz Blog announced plans by 20^th Century Fox and Cronenberg to revisit The Fly in what they’re describing as a “reboot” to his ’86 masterpiece. Yes, he’s “in talks” pen the new version and possibly direct. No, I don’t know why anyone at said studio thinks this is even a remotely good idea. The mortgage at the Cronenberg house was due, perhaps?

Also annoying as shit is the continual use of the term “reboot” applied to everything. Reboots are supposed to be about re-starting a franchise (film, television, literature, etc.) that was DOA and giving its dignity back. Unless their plans entail future exploits of the new Brundlefly (or whatever the Hell they call the protagonist), this latest Fly should be categorized as a remake.