Cinefantastique Online

Actor Keanu Reeves (whose sci-fi credits include BILL AND TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE and the MATRIX trilogy) has committed to star in a remake of the 1951 science-fiction classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. Scott derrickson (THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE) will direct from a script by David Scarpa; Erwin Stoff will produce.

The original film, which was directed by Robert Wise, starred Michael Rennie as Klatuu, an alien who lands on Earth to warn mankind to abandon their war-like ways after developing the H-Bom. He is assisted by Gort, an indestructible robot capable of enforcing Klaatu’s edicts, if necessary.

Reeves would take over the Klatuu role in the new version. There was previously talk of a revival back in the late 1970s, with noted fantasy author Ray Bradbury contacted about developing a script that would have been closer to a sequel.

Although remaking a classic is always a risky thing, the time may be right for another DAY trip. The original film’s message has been interpreted in many ways, but essentially its appeal for nuclear restraint is a metaphor for setting aside selfish, nationalistic concerns in favor of cooperation with the United Nations. In light of the disastrous U.S. military endeavor in Iraq, which was undertaken without U.N. approval, the old message may ring even more true today than it did in 1951.