Filed under: Etc.
Pitt Bullitt: classic McQueen remake to begin production
UPDATE: Don't fret all you Steve McQueen fans. After reading our post, Ford got in touch Brad Pitt's management, who don't know anything about the remake or Pitt's involvement. The credibility of this rumor's source, Monsters and Critics, was also called into question. Still, with all the positive buzz GM has earned for its involvement with Transformers, you'd think Ford would be all over a remake the stars Brad Pitt next to a recently released Bullitt Mustang.
Not unlike the retro styling and resurrection of old nameplates sweeping the car industry, some film critics bemoan the lack of originality inherent in the Hollywood trend of remaking old films, while others relish the opportunity to refresh classics for younger generations. One way or another, the latest Hollywood announcement has us frothing at the mouth, as the green-light has been given to start production on a remake of the most iconic of gearhead films of all time: the Steve McQueen classic "Bullitt".
Endeavoring to fill the legendary McQueen's pedals will be none other than Brad Pitt, who will take on the role of Lt. Frank Bullitt of the San Francisco Police Department, hunting down the hitman who killed his fellow officers. Pitt's co-stars have not yet been announced, but with the anticipated launch of the new Bullitt Mustang, the smart product-placement money would be on its inclusion in the new movie along with the Dodge Charger R/T, the two cars that made the famous race scene in the original.
This should be interesting.
[Source: Monsters and Critics via Mustangblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
JC3 12:35PM (7/05/2007)
Brad Pitt?No ,No ,No .Al Gore Jr.
Reply
Hugh Brockner 1:52AM (7/06/2007)
That's priceless!!
Ed 12:35PM (7/05/2007)
Dammit. Why are they remaking this? LEAVE IT ALONE!
Reply
William 12:39PM (7/05/2007)
Great news! Although Brad Pitt is nothing compared to McQueen, this is the one to anticipate. So, will the new Bullitt Mustang be included in the movie? Also, it would be best if they include the Dodge Challenger (Concept or not) in the chase scene rather than the four-door Charger. The Challenger looks more retro-ish and the Mustang will do great together.
This new movie also brings back the Motor Trend comparison test they had of the Mustang GT and the Charger R/T, both in dark green, driving in the hills of San Francisco.
William Lee
TheCarBlogger
Reply
Mattlach 12:53PM (7/05/2007)
Hmm.
Plot line sounds remarkably familliar to Mad Max...
I wonder if the makers of Mad Max were inspired buy Bullitt
Reply
FLR 1:04PM (7/05/2007)
Ok...this isn't going to sound right....but bear with me one second.
Jason Priestly should play Lt. Frank Bullit.
Why? McQueen apparently did a lot of his own driving and was a very accomplished driver. This made the movie more entertaining since you could actually see Steve's face during several shots.
Now, I doubt Brad Pitt would ever risk doing any serious driving.
Jason Priestly is a very accomplished driver, heck, he almost killed himself during one race.
/flame suit on
Reply
Gardiner Westbound 1:06PM (7/05/2007)
I don't think any current actor has Steve McQueen's stage presence. Things could be worse, however, like Tom Cruise.
Angelina Jolie would do a good job of filling Jacqueline Bisset's wet T-shirt.
Is anybody slimy enough to play the Robert Vaughn role?
Reply
Adam 1:06PM (7/05/2007)
I definitely saw someone more like Daniel Craig playing this role, not Brad goddam Pitt.
Reply
Solo Racer 1:06PM (7/05/2007)
"Bullitt" is the most iconic gearhead film? What about "Le Mans" or "Grand Prix?"
Reply
Solo Racer 1:07PM (7/05/2007)
"Is anybody slimy enough to play the Robert Vaughn role?"
Willem Dafoe
Solo Racer 1:18PM (7/05/2007)
"Is anybody slimy enough to play the Robert Vaughn role?"
Willem Dafoe
Mark S 4:52PM (7/05/2007)
Mind you that aside from somethings, I like the man, but John Edwards?
Devin 5:04PM (7/05/2007)
Yes. That is who i think of when i see a picture of steve mcqueen. Damn, if Craig did get the job, he's gonna have quite a record of driving awesome cars. First Astons in Bond flicks, and now possibly a Bullitt.
However, judging by the pic, I think Pitt would be pretty good too. And kudows to the person who said Jolie should also be in it.
Joe K. 1:17PM (7/05/2007)
so help me if they computerize anything during the car chase.... Thats what made it classic... And the CHARGER should lose 6 hubcaps during that scene...
Reply
Solo Racer 1:18PM (7/05/2007)
"Bullitt" is the most iconic gearhead film? What about "Le Mans" or "Grand Prix?"
Reply
Ralph Kalal 1:20PM (7/05/2007)
NO!!!
Brad Pitt? Are you kidding? Mr. WIMP. The guy that arrives at the Oscars in a hydrogen powered BMW 7 Series.
Puke.
This is even worse than the remake of the Thomas Crown Affair.
McQueen was a man.
Brad can dream about being one.
Reply
YouFaceTheTick 1:51PM (7/05/2007)
Actually, McQueen was smaller physically than Brad Pitt. McQueen was around 5-8 to 5-9 but is erroneously listed as 5-10 on IMDB (the studios claimed he was bigger than reality). Pitt's 5-11 and far more ripped than McQueen. Hell for that crappy Troy movie Pitt was well over 200 lbs.
Ralph Kalal 2:11PM (7/05/2007)
Not the point.
Being the real thing, not a copy, has something to do with it.
But real men cut their own way. Brad could pump iron for 20 years and Ms. Jolie for thirty, but it wouldn't make him enough to copy McQueen. Not that he's doing poorly, mind you.
Just that he doesn't deserve to stand in McQueen's shoes. McQueen, with all his flaws, was the real thing.
Pitt is a product of careful evaluation, and careful promotion.
Anyway, be a mistake to remake Bullitt.
Can't improve on perfection.
YouFaceTheTick 2:27PM (7/05/2007)
While I've seen and enjoyed many of Mcqueen's movies, he was a star with charisma, not an actor. He had presence - like arnie and sly but zero acting ability. Zero ability to become someone he wasn't. So, while I may respect the aura of McQueen, he's not someone I believe can act.
Pitt's shown tremendous range, on the other hand:
Twelve Monkeys
7 Years in Tibet
True Romance
Snatch
Babel
Decidely different types of films and all varied characters. McQueen, regardless of his legend, can only be himself. Like say, Tom Cruise, McQueen has only the ability to play a variation of who he is/was - mr. cool. I love The Great Escape and Papillon and The Getaway but let's be honest, Steve had the range of a daisy air rifle.
Ralph Kalal 3:45PM (7/05/2007)
Nonsense.
McQueen was a film actor. He had a nuance that would not have worked on the stage, but was ideal for film.
Pitt's not bad. I actually enjoyed both the first Oceans remake and The Mexican.
But when both an actor and an industry reduces itself to plowing an old furrow, neither benefits.
Actually, much the same could be said for Ford.