Universal is resurrecting “Drop Dead Fred,” this time as a starring vehicle for Russell Brand.
Dennis McNicholas, one of the writers of Universal’s upcoming “Land of the Lost,” will pen the remake. Marc Platt is producing via his studio-based Marc Platt Prods. along with Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
The 1991 original starred Phoebe Cates as a wallflower who loses her job and husband during the course of a lunch hour. Forced to live back home, she’s reunited with her childhood imaginary friend (Brit actor Rik Mayall), who promises to help but causes more havoc.
Produced by PolyGram and Working Title, the first “Fred” was critically drubbed and commercially unsuccessful. But it did achieve a certain cult status and is considered a film that fell short of its full potential.
When this film fails, they will blame internet piracy and the recession.