Two years after news of a Vertigo remake first emerged, the project is still underway, with screenwriter Steven Knight (known for Peaky Blinders) revealing that the adaptation is in progress. The remake, which could potentially star Robert Downey Jr., aims to update Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 masterpiece, a film widely regarded as one of the greatest in cinematic history.
In a recent interview, Knight acknowledged the challenges of adapting such a revered film. “It’s swirling around in my head as we speak,” Knight said, describing his ongoing work on the screenplay. “I’m having flashbacks to about an hour ago when I was writing. It’s an interesting—I mean, of course, people consider it the best film ever made. So you’d have to be an idiot to adapt it, and so that’s what I am.”
Despite the daunting task ahead, Knight remains determined, fully aware of the intricacies involved. “Taking that plot apart is like diffusing a Second World War time bomb,” he noted. “It’s very complex, but it’s what’s occupying my waking hours.”
Robert Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan Downey, will produce the remake through their Team Downey banner, alongside John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment. Although Downey Jr. has not yet officially signed on to star, he is reportedly considering the role of the protagonist—a retired detective battling acrophobia and vertigo after a traumatic incident. The original Vertigo featured Jimmy Stewart as John “Scottie” Ferguson, a former detective who becomes obsessed with a woman he was hired to follow, played by Kim Novak.
While the remake remains in its early stages, one question lingers: does this classic really need a fresh take? It’s hard to imagine any version surpassing Hitchcock’s original. Nevertheless, with Knight and Downey Jr. involved, fans may find a new and compelling perspective on the timeless story.
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