I heard this on the radio this morning. There was a discussion of TV show and movie remakes. I don't know if this will happen, but it sounds stupid!

I heard this on the radio this morning. There was a discussion of TV show and movie remakes. I don't know if this will happen, but it sounds stupid!


When I think of comedy, Ice-T is the first person that jumps to mind. :rolleyes: ;)

It's actually supposed to star Ice-Cube but either way, It's probably gonna be stupid. :rolleyes:

Sweathogs Rule! Cube Welcomes Back "Kotter" By Gina Serpe

Bring out the Welcome wagon.

Ice Cube has signed on to play the title role in a film adaptation of the classic 1970s TV series Welcome Back, Kotter, it was announced Tuesday.


As part of his deal with Dimension Films, Cube will also coproduce the redo of the former ABC series that turned John Travolta into a household name.


"There was no bigger fan of the original show than me, and I'm very excited to be able to put a new twist on it," the Barbershop star tells Variety.


Cube will play the titular Gabe Kotter, a slacker turned teacher who returns to his inner-city alma mater and who sees himself in the new batch of underprivileged troublemakers. He works to inspire the seemingly apathetic students, known as the Sweathogs.


The gang of kids is led by scatterbrained himbo Vinnie Barbarino, played in the original incarnation by Travolta. The original 'hogs also included the super suave Freddie "Boom-Boom" Washington (originally played by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), the tough-talking Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein ( Robert Hegyes), and nasally nerd Arnold Dingfelder Horshack ( Ron Palillo) and were responsible for injecting retorts like "up your nose with a rubber hose" into the cultural vernacular.


Gabe Kaplan, who played Kotter in the original 1975-79 series, also created the show with partner Alan Sacks and retained the rights. He said that despite heavy interest from studios over the years, they held out on adapting Kotter until the right pitch came along.


"We were skeptical about selling Kotter because making a great movie from a TV show can be challenging," Kaplan said in a statement. "After meeting with the Weinsteins [Harvey and Bob Weinstein run Dimension], we knew they were the right ones to bring this project to the screen."


No word on whether any of the original stars will make cameos in the film, though if the recent influx of box office remakes are any indication, it's highly likely that some of the old gang will pay their respects. Likewise, we assume that Cube will give a hip-hop spin to the classic "Welcome Back" theme song, originally crooned by John Sebastian.


The Hot Chick's Tom Brady has signed on to write and direct Kotter.


Production is expected to kick off this fall, after filming is complete on Cube's next project, Are We Done Yet?, a sequel to last year's surprise hit Are We There Yet?, which happens to be another remake--this time based loosely on Mr. Blandings Builds His Dreamhouse. Cameras roll on that film in Vancouver this June.

I would MUCH rather see a reunion movie with the same characters, wouldn't everyone else? I believe all the main characters are living, except the principal. They could either do a show and reminisce, or do it like a "what are they up to now" show. Let's see. Kotter is retired, living in Florida and plays golf everyday, Freddie Washington is a retired NBA player, Epstein became a professional con man, Barberino became a sex therapist and married one of his patients, Kelly Preston...lol (she is so hot!), Horshack came out of the closet... :lol:

The only good news that could come from this is that they might finally release season sets of the series on dvd. The show is all I care about, screw a movie.

When I think of comedy, Ice-T is the first person that jumps to mind. :rolleyes: ;)
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

after all the bad remakes you would think they would give up on remaking good sitcoms. Damn!

It won't be any good without the orgionals. Only John Travolta is Vinnie Barbarino. I guess I'll see it out of curiosity but it won't be right unless the origionals are in it. I'd rather see a reunion movie...

The only good news that could come from this is that they might finally release season sets of the series on dvd. The show is all I care about, screw a movie.

That's exactly what I was thinking this morning. Hopefully that will help get out season sets. That's what happened to 'Bewitched.' Except of course, they're from different companies.

I wonder who they'll get to play Beau. ;)

That's exactly what I was thinking this morning. Hopefully that will help get out season sets. That's what happened to 'Bewitched.' Except of course, they're from different companies.

I wonder who they'll get to play Beau. ;)

I guess it could have a negative effect if the movie is real bad! The movie MIGHT spark a renewed interest in those who are old enough to remember the show, but if it's bad, anyone who's too young to know about WBK, might assume it's a stupid TV show too. Therefore, they better do this right....if that's even possible.

The only good news that could come from this is that they might finally release season sets of the series on dvd. The show is all I care about, screw a movie.

Good point.

I think a DVD season set must be on the horizon then if you look at the pattern of the other sitcoms made into movies.

perhaps if they make a movie that reaches the absolute pinnacle of suckitude it will finally kill the tv-remake fad :)

(so far it sounds like they are well on their way to that goal)

Bad idea. I can't see Ice-T cracking bad jokes like Gabe Kaplan did. I will not be going to see this, nor will I rent this. What's next? Brad Pitt as Beau Delabarre???:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

It would be fitting - a bad actor playing a bad character.:D

Access Hollywood covered the AOL In2tv launch party and interviewed Gabe Kaplan and Marcia Strassman, who were there representing WBK. Kaplan mentioned that the movie will be set in South Central LA!!!! The only WBK I know is set in Brooklyn, New York. Maybe I shouldn't judge it when it hasn't been made yet, but the idea of this movie is sounding worse and worse by the minute.

Kaplan: Ice Cube a Great Pick for 'Kotter'
http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/ap/thumbnails//PEOPLE_GABE_KAPLAN.sff_NY115_20060316180036.jpg (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20060316/PEOPLE_GABE_KAPLAN.sff_NY115_20060316180036.html?date=20060317&docid=D8GD19IG0)
(AP) This file photo originally from ABC shows members of the cast of television sitcom "Welcome Back,...
Full Image (http://apnews.excite.com/image/20060316/PEOPLE_GABE_KAPLAN.sff_NY115_20060316180036.html?date=20060317&docid=D8GD19IG0)

NEW YORK (AP) - Former "Welcome Back, Kotter" creator-star Gabe Kaplan says rapper-actor Ice Cube is a great choice to play his old role in the big-screen remake of the hit 1970s TV series.

In an interview that was to air Thursday, Kaplan tells "Access Hollywood" he thinks Ice Cube "is the perfect guy... He has shown what kind of crossover appeal he has."

In the TV original, Kaplan portrayed compassionate teacher Gabe Kotter, who returns to his former Brooklyn high school to teach a new generation of troublemakers, including John Travolta's Vinnie Barbarino.

That formula will be updated in Ice Cube's version, which Kaplan feels "will totally be acceptable. I think that the setting is going to be in South Central L.A. He is going to be just like how I was in Brooklyn."

Besides starring as the young teacher, Ice Cube, 36, will also produce the movie, Bob Weinstein, co-president of The Weinstein Company, said in a statement earlier this week.

No other casting or release date has been announced. When "Access" asks about his ideal cast, Kaplan, 60, jokes, "Well, I think Snoop Dogg will play Horshack, Vanilla Ice would play Barbarino... I don't know."

I see another disaster like the "Dukes of Hazzard" movie on the horizon.

If the "star" of the movie is actually Ice Cube, then it's going to be even worse. He can't act.

Why do I have a feeling that the movie will end up being titled Welcome Back To Tha Hood, Kotta??

I guess it could have a negative effect if the movie is real bad! The movie MIGHT spark a renewed interest in those who are old enough to remember the show, but if it's bad, anyone who's too young to know about WBK, might assume it's a stupid TV show too. Therefore, they better do this right....if that's even possible.Welcome Back was shown on TVLand not too long ago, so the younger crowd may not have forgotten about the show.

Welcome Back was shown on TVLand not too long ago, so the younger crowd may not have forgotten about the show.

The younger people not only FORGOT about the show, most of the younger people probably won't even know about the show to begin with! I remember a year or so ago, my step-daughter was talking to me and we were talking about movies and the "Charlie's Angels" movies came into the conversation. It turned out that she did not even know that "Charlie's Angels" was once a TV show!!!!! :crazy: She thought that they were only movies. I watched the original Charlie's Angels back in the 70's and it boggled my mind that she had never even heard of the original TV show but, hey!, I guess it's true. Same way with WBK, when this movie comes out, a LOT of young kids will have never have watched the original series.

I don't expect much from this re-make. The only "good" it will achieve, IMHO, is to (hopefully) bring us at least the First Season DVD Set. And maybe TV Land will bring back the original series to show again. But with the movie, it will turn out like almost every other remake-----pure crapola.

Signed,
Respectfully,
Dutch
P.S. This is my 400th post!!!!!! Yay!!!!! :grady:

I would rather see a reunion tv movie or something along those lines.I like Ice Cube, but they never really did any closure to the series.

I see another disaster like the "Dukes of Hazzard" movie on the horizon.


Or the Honeymooners movie.

Or the Honeymooners movie.

Another great example!

This is another movie I can add to my list of "must not see" movies.:cool:

I will check it out. Maybe I will be pleasanly surprised.

I most certainly HOPE NOT!
Ice-T, Ice Cube, or whomever it may be, it would be a rotten choice to even have either source as a rendition of the Gabe Kotter character!!

I can't stand rap or any rap figures, anyway, so you might as well know right here & now about it. YUCK... :mad: :rolleyes:
Barf, barf, barf. :barf: :barf: :barf:

I agree with ya. I HATE rap lol. I say let's release the whole series on dvd instead...

I second that motion.:D

Couldn't you just see someone like Kevin Federline in the cast? How about Nick Lachey as Beau?? LOL

Couldn't you just see someone like Kevin Federline in the cast? How about Nick Lachey as Beau?? LOL

Not that I'd go to see it anyway, but those two casting choices would be the nails in the coffin if I were.

Besides, what on earth makes you think they'd have Beau in the movie???:eek: :rolleyes:


I could, however, see Seann William Scott playing Beau - he's a one-note actor who plays knuckleheads and is no stranger to bad TV show remake movies.