Steven Spielberg to Direct Harvey
By Krystal Clark
How many of you remember the 1950 film Harvey, which starred the legendary James Stewart? It was based off of the 1944 Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name by author Mary Chase. Super producer and director Steven Spielberg must be a fan, because he has officially taken on the task of bringing Harvey to the big screen one more time. According to Yahoo News, Spielberg has just signed on to direct the classic film about a man and his rabbit.
Harvey told the story of “a big-hearted eccentric who’s branded a crackpot for claiming to have a 6-foot tall invisible rabbit buddy.” This was of course the perfect role for someone like Stewart who could pull off the innocence and naivety of such a character. As for Spielberg’s updated version, casting has just begun so we don’t know who will take on the lead role as of yet. According to Variety, the director has been reaching out to a select group of actors that he’s short listing for the role, such as Tom Hanks and Will Smith.
I think both Smith and Hanks would be good choices, but I think Hanks might be able to pull off the eccentric quality of Harvey without it being too funny or over the top. It makes me think of his performance in Big. Smith might come off as a bit too comedic and you might lose the heart of the character in the midst of that.
What do you think about Spielberg directing Harvey? Who do you think should be cast as the lead?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 6:38AM
Uh, he's been known as Jimmy Stewart for decades. How about we stop being such a bunch of retarded hipsters (redundant) and film snobs and just call him Jimmy like they did when, you know, he was alive.
Thursday, August 6, 2009 4:58AM
I didn't know it was retarded hipster to call someone by their given name, but I suppose you knew him well enough to enlighten us to his preference.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 10:10PM
"Harvey" is a wonderful movie, which is why it is nerve-wracking to hear that it is going to be remade. James Stewart was outstanding in his role of Elwood, and it is hard to imagine it being played as well by anyone else. If it came down to Tom Hanks and Will Smith; Hanks would fit the role more suitably. All we can do now is cross our fingers and hope that Spielberg keeps the true heart and soul of "Harvey".
Friday, September 4, 2009 7:44PM
Copied from another site (because it’s exactly how feel):
I’ve got a novel idea for you, Steve. Buy a screenplay from a brilliant new screenwriter and make an original movie. You have the clout to do it. There is nothing you can add to “Harvey.” It’s a perfect movie. You want to bring people back in the theaters, then stop showing us what we’ve already seen. I’m so tired of remakes, movies from TV shows, and now movies from toys that I want to spew. Make a new movie, you morons.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 8:27AM
[...] while back we reported on the development news that Steven Spielberg would be directing a remake of the classic Henry Koster film, Harvey. The 1950 [...]