“The Bodyguard” is the latest classic film to get a reboot and fans aren’t sure what to think.
First reported by Variety, ET can confirm that Warner Bros. has enlisted Matthew López, the Tony-nominated playwright of The Inheritance, to write the retelling of the iconic Whitney Houston film.
The new movie will be inspired by the 1992 romantic drama, which starred Houston and Kevin Costner and featured the show-stopping hit “And I Will Always Love You”. The original film made more than $400 million at the worldwide box office. The soundtrack is still considered the bestselling movie soundtracks of all time.
In the weeks since Variety‘s report, López revealed some casting plans.
“It’s so much fun,” López told the outlet. “When Warner Bros. approached me about the idea, I quickly said I would but I wanted the protagonist to be Latina. They agreed to that.”
He added, “Instead of focusing on an established star like the one Whitney Houston played, this is about a young Latina performer who has just become famous. It’s about how her life has changed because she is an overnight sensation. In the 21st century, that means she’s in immediate need of protection.”
After the news hit the Twitterverse, some fans of the original weren’t too happy. Others offered their casting choices.
Why? There are so many writers and content creators out there with original ideas that need to be funded and seen. We don't need to recreate things like The Bodyguard that had cultural impact and people will watch over and over. (yes this movie had cultural impact fight me) LOL https://t.co/mPfw3F3WOV
— Malynda Hale (@MalyndaHale) September 15, 2021
The music/soundtrack is the star of the Bodyguard movie and who’s gonna top prime Whitney Houston? https://t.co/P8l8ln3MB1
— Scotch Hall (@steelthistweet) September 15, 2021
when they announce The Bodyguard remake starring Ariana Grande and Chris Evans accompanied by a full soundtrack by Ariana the absolute COLLAPSE asdhdhdjjjkl 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/lLzWBI3Cme
— ً (@waynevevo) September 10, 2021
Beyoncé for the The Bodyguard remake would be astonishing musically but people be way to weird when it comes to her. i genuinely don’t think i could live through something like that, especially after Black Is King.
— melv (@manizegos) September 15, 2021
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In terms of remakes, this one seemed pretty inevitable to me. If done right, "The Bodyguard" could become like "A Star Is Born" where every generation makes their own version of it with entirely new music. https://t.co/XeyWJXHFAC
— Alphabet Fascist 🏳️🌈 (@MvelaseP) September 15, 2021
& We don’t want it. Not every movie needs a damn remake especially one as good as The Bodyguard. https://t.co/l0D2U46fyH
— 1963 (@hourlywhitney) September 15, 2021
Variety reports Warner Bros. has planned the remake since 2011 with rumours of Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson to Channing Tatum and Cardi B starring.
No cast has been set for López’s script at this stage.
