If I were to tell you that they were daring to remake Clueless, I know exactly what your reaction would be: “Urgh, as if!”
But I can confirm that it appears the unthinkable has happened and Paramount film studios are indeed remaking the cult 90s classic.
It was reported by Deadline on Thursday that a new movie was still in the early development stages, but a script was being penned by Glow writer Marquita Robinson. The fresh take for the millennium is allegedly to be produced by Girls Trip writer Tracy Oliver and follows news of a Clueless broadway musical which begins previews on November 20.
There has been no word so far on whether any of the original cast would be revising their roles for the movie update, or whether the producers were going for a completely clean slate.
So, I know what you’re thinking and I’m thinking it too: “I don’t get it…”
We’re certainly not alone in this sentiment. Once news of the remake hit, angry fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with many insisting that the 1995 version could never be topped.
“There's a reason #Clueless did so well at the time imo. One...the cast. Two...the fashion. Three...it was the 90's. Remaking the movie now (Or at all) is bad business. Somebody in Hollywood needs to be fired for that idea asap,” wrote Twitter user @ShenRioKuma.
She was joined by @WildnOutAdtntur who claimed one TV remake was enough, putting: “Oh man, I had a hard enough time with the TV series. I don't know about this”. Another fan going by the username of @ryandowney also insisted that a new movie was not needed, due to the main stars having barely aged in the last 23 years.
"As someone whose voicemail alert is Cher saying, “Ugh! As if,” I’d like to note my opposition to the Clueless remake. Besides, my vegan sister @AliciaSilv & Paul Rudd still look exactly the same,” he wrote.
A few other fans were slightly more accepting, with some social media users insisting they would wait to see the final product to judge.
The original high school comedy-drama, which was loosely based on Jane Austen’s 1815 romance novel, Emma, starred Alicia Silverstone as the well-intentioned but massively superficial Cher Horowitz, who sets out to increase the popularity of new student, Tai. It was a surprise success in the United States, earning $56.6 million and soon developed a cult following.
Kids born in the 90s have been hit hard recently with studios producing new versions of classic films. Back in September, it was reported that Halloween favourite Hocus Pocus was getting a remake from Disney with an entirely new cast, much to fan outrage.
When Mick Garris, screenwriter for the original Hocus Pocus was asked about the old cast members making a return, he made his feelings clear, saying: "If they don’t do that I think it would be a big mistake because all three of them are still so incredibly potent and powerful and great performers."
So, will 90s kids ever accept the new Clueless into their lives? Our overwhelming sense of ickiness says: never in a billion years.
