Julia Louis-Dreyfus to Star in Force Majeure Remake

Posted by on March 26th, 2015   Filed under: Comedy, Drama, International, Remakes
Source: THR

Julia Louis-Dreyfrus

No matter how much attention or acclaim a foreign film might get here in North America, the odds of it breaking through to mainstream audiences are still extremely slim. So I can understand why it makes sense to remake some of these movies if there is a chance they can attract more viewers with Hollywood actors on screen (and no subtitles). Still, it feels like many remakes of foreign films only end up playing to the same people who saw the original, and I wonder if that might be the case with the upcoming remake of Ruben Ostlund’s Force Majeure. Fox Searchlight is currently developing an English-language version of the dark comedy, and although the premise seems a little too subtle for the multiplex crowds, they do have a well-known actress already attached to star: Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

According to THR, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is in negotiations to star in a remake of Ruben Ostlund’s Swedish film Force Majeure. The original was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film this year but was subsequently snubbed by the Oscars. There is no word on a potential writer or director but Louis-Dreyfus would also act as a producer on the project.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus currently stars in Veep on HBO and is obviously also known for her previous TV gigs on Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine, but up until now she hasn’t done a whole lot on the big screen. She did recently star opposite James Gandolfini in Enough Said, which earned positive reviews. This project could be a good match for her, but it is interesting that they are bringing an actress on board first since the film mostly follows the husband’s perspective. Do you think a Force Majeure remake might actually be worthwhile?



  • What a joke.

  • Afrikoka

    nah.

  • Captain Morgan

    Or, you know, you could read the subtitles. Fucking ‘Merica.

  • 1138sw

    Geeeez! Do we really have to remake another foreign movie?? Go see the original Swedish version people! It’s a good movie and so what about the subs, just read it’s not difficult and besides there’s plenty of spoken english in the movie as well!

  • pcch7

    The rest of the world deals with subtitles, no problem. No reason why Murica can’t as well.

  • kent88

    Actually, many countries still dub their movies. Although I never see them getting any shit for that, even though they kind of should.

    You’d have to be crazy to think it’s seriously about subtitles. Did the U.S. vote on this? That every foreign movie must be remade because they don’t wanna read subtitles? It’s just a dumb excuse studios like to use to justify these remakes.

    Nobody saw the original, and it had a good idea for a movie, so – like Sean says – it’s about taking i.e. stealing that idea and make a more commercial movie out of it.

    Then again, it’s hard to complain when something like Fincher’s DRAGON TATTOO remake was clearly superior to the Swedish original.

  • pcch7

    Germany gets some shit for their dubbing, at least here. But they’re at least playing the original film.

    Of course it’s an attempt to make money. They wouldn’t do it otherwise but plenty of these remakes turn out bad and don’t make a ton of money.

    Why did no one see the original? I don’t live in the states but I bet they didn’t push it very hard. I just wish they would give these films a real chance.

    Yeah, that one was good but then, on the flipside you have the Oldboy remake which was quite frankly shit, as is often the case. It’s not like Fincher took a piece of shit and made it good, is it? It should be better when you have a bigger budget and can just copy everything that was good in the original and then add onto it. Did Let Me In make any money? I loved it but if I remember correctly, it didn’t do too great.

  • There’s a lot more to a movie than dialogue. One of the things that make Force Majeure (actually, plenty of people in film circles saw the film – it’s on VOD right now) amazing. The direction and cinematography is a huge aspect of Force Majeure. Probably does much more for the film’s tone and emotional elements than the dialogue.

    So I can just about guarantee the reake wonn’t be as good. American remakes very seldom are.

    I don’t agree Fincher’s version was better. It was sanitized and slicked out. The grittier, less safe (original) version was much better.

    The Departed is one of the few remakes I can think of that was better – but only barely. Infernal Affairs is pretty terrific.

  • I sort of agree with both of you on why not many people in The States saw the film. A) It hardly played anywhere. B) There was zero marketing (outside the Oscar push) and C) yes, general American audiences will not touch a foreign language film – partly because of subtitles, but partly because foreign films have a stigma attached to them for which Americans see them as stuffy and boring art films. It’s actually pretty infuriating.

  • I’ve actually seen a lot of americans saying “when I go to the movies, I don’t want to read a fucking book!”. So there is that :)

  • Oh, and in sweden countries that dub movies get a lot of shit.

  • pcch7

    That’s what I think as well, I don’t think it’s gonna be a good remake. I think they’ll change the tone of it. It’s a real shame. I saw Force Majeure in Australia in a packed theatre full of Australians and it was very well recieved. Most people seemed to laugh quite a bit.

    Yeah I liked The Departed, been a while since I saw it now. Also don’t think Fincher’s movie was that much better really, but you can tell there’s a higher budget involved. Better score as well, in my opinion.

    Loved Let Me In but it is very similar to the original. Haven’t seen the original but, for me, the The Ring is amazing. Gotta mention Sorcerer as well, what a film.