When we first heard reports that Kevin Spacey may star in a remake of House of Cards, we thought: “You might think that, we couldn’t possibly comment.”
Remaking award-winning properties is always a tricky business, and House of Cards won BAFTAs, a Best Screenplay Emmy for Andrew Davies, even a Peabody Award. On the other hand, the degree to which the mechanics of politics has changed since House of Cards premiered on the BBC in 1990 offers a rich mine of new material. Twitter, cell phone footage, Wiki Leaks aside, the ubiquity of closed circuit cameras that we live with today would give its Machiavellian protagonist pause. These days he’d certainly have to watch his back during those unavoidable political assassinations.
It’s easy to see how Kevin Spacey would be tempted. He has spent much of the past year preparing to star in Richard III this summer at London’s Old Vic, and next winter at New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music. The Social Network’s David Fincher has been signed to direct the House of Cards pilot, so there should be enough talent involved to pull it off. Interestingly, there was no mention as to whether the story will remain in the Houses of Parliament, or will be reformatted into a Washington DC thriller. Also we wonder if this new Urquhart will share his cunning plans in delicious asides to the viewer. In the meantime, the original House of Cards trilogy starring Ian Richardson is ripe for a second look, or a first look if it’s unknown to you.
In a quick note to Doctor Who fans, the Doctor will return to BBC America in new episodes six weeks from tomorrow! Click here for further details.
Loading ...
