‘Logan’s Run’ Gets Moving Again With Simon Kinberg
Simon Kinbergis turning back to some classic film science fiction. A new version ofLogan’s Runhas been in development for years, with various directors (including Nicolas Winding Refn and Kinberg’sX-Mencompatriot Bryan Singer) attached to make the film at different times. There’s a constant allure to the property, which depicts a futuristic society in which life is forcibly ended at 30.
Now Kinberg, whose plate is already pretty crowded with writing and producing superhero movies at Fox and writing and producingStar Wars Rebelsand aStar Wars Anthologyfilm, is writing a new treatment forLogan’s Runat Warner Bros., which he will produce with Joel Silver.
THRreports that Kinberg is doing a story treatment forLogan’s Run, which he’ll then hand off to another writer. That writer will work under Kinberg and producer Joel Silver to script the film. At that point we’ll probably start to hear about a director and possible stars. (Ryan Gosling was once attached to star, when Nic Refn was going to make the movie.)
The original film was based on the 1967 novel of the same name by William F. Nolan, which set out the idea of a post-apocalyptic society which is given over entirely to youthful pleasure. When citizens reach age 30 they are guided to “carousel,” a ceremony which supposedly renews their life, but in fact simply executes them.
Those who attempt to escape this fate are hunted by “Sandmen,” and the story primarily focuses on events set in motion when a Sandman himself attempts to escape, which leads him to discover hidden truths about his society, and the world outside.
The reboot offers many possibilities. There’s the obvious potential for an aesthetic upgrade, as the original film is kitschy as hell, with pretty extras and skimpy costumes as attempts to distract from the rudimentary models and special effects.
The story, however, could still be potent, even if the culture of 2015 approaches youth and aging in a very different manner than the culture of the ’60s and ’70s, when the original novel and film were released. Turning 30 is very different now than it was Forty-five years ago; it’s more like the beginning of life for many people, rather than the end. That being the case, forcing and end to life at 30, if the new film retains that precise conceit, could be an even more powerful concept than it was originally.
