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After Dad's Army, which other sitcoms could be adapted into films? After Dad's Army, which other sitcoms could be adapted into films?
(4 months later)
Much loved BBC sitcom Dad's Army is to be brought to the big screen with Toby Jones and Bill Nighy starring as Captain Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson. The film is to be directed by Oliver Parker, responsible for Johnny English Reborn and the St Trinians remake, and original Dad's Army writer Jimmy Perry is on board as a producer.Much loved BBC sitcom Dad's Army is to be brought to the big screen with Toby Jones and Bill Nighy starring as Captain Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson. The film is to be directed by Oliver Parker, responsible for Johnny English Reborn and the St Trinians remake, and original Dad's Army writer Jimmy Perry is on board as a producer.
Reaction to the news has not been universally positive among Guardian readers:Reaction to the news has not been universally positive among Guardian readers:
Nighy and Jones are excellent performers, but no-one will better the chemistry between the original cast members of Dad's Army.Nighy and Jones are excellent performers, but no-one will better the chemistry between the original cast members of Dad's Army.
Why remake something which is already perfect? It's like rewriting Hamlet!Why remake something which is already perfect? It's like rewriting Hamlet!
Well, at least Jimmy Perry is involved in some way. I did think 'No' initially but I think it could work with Toby Jones and Bill Nighy - both are very versatile and 'giving' actors. And if they cast the other parts with such thought I'd give it a chance.Well, at least Jimmy Perry is involved in some way. I did think 'No' initially but I think it could work with Toby Jones and Bill Nighy - both are very versatile and 'giving' actors. And if they cast the other parts with such thought I'd give it a chance.
A shame Clive Dunn died a few years ago...he would have been the right age to play Jonesy now.A shame Clive Dunn died a few years ago...he would have been the right age to play Jonesy now.
Adaptating sitcoms for the big screen can of course yield decent results – see recent examples Alpha Papa, The Inbetweeners and In the Loop. But what other shows are crying out for a cinema version? How about one of the following? Adaptating sitcoms for the big screen can of course yield decent results – see recent examples Alpha Papa, The Inbetweeners and In the Loop. But what other shows are crying out for a cinema version? How about one of the following?
Blackadder: Richard Curtis shot down Blackadder movie rumours a few months ago – but were he to change his mind, fans would be delighted. However the ending to Blackadder Goes Forth was so perfectly executed that any latter-day addition to the Blackadder story could seem extraneous.Blackadder: Richard Curtis shot down Blackadder movie rumours a few months ago – but were he to change his mind, fans would be delighted. However the ending to Blackadder Goes Forth was so perfectly executed that any latter-day addition to the Blackadder story could seem extraneous.
Gavin & Stacey: Co-creator Ruth Jones has suggested that a Gavin & Stacey film could be a future possibility. Given, however, that James Corden and Matt Horne have proven to be box-office poison (see Lesbian Vampire Killers – or, rather, don't), it might be fun to recast. We suggest Rebel Wilson as Nessa, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a more dashing Gavin, Imogen Poots as Stacey and Rupert Grint as Smithy. Gavin & Stacey: Co-creator Ruth Jones has suggested that a Gavin & Stacey film could be a future possibility. Given, however, that James Corden and Matt Horne have proven to be box-office poison (see Lesbian Vampire Killers – or, rather, don't), it might be fun to recast. We suggest Rebel Wilson as Nessa, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a more dashing Gavin, Imogen Poots as Stacey and Rupert Grint as Smithy.
Absolutely Fabulous: If we had to imagine someone other than Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders in the lead roles, how about Diane Keaton as Patsy, and Madonna is basically a real-life version of Edina, right?Absolutely Fabulous: If we had to imagine someone other than Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders in the lead roles, how about Diane Keaton as Patsy, and Madonna is basically a real-life version of Edina, right?
• Which TV sitcoms would you like to see adapted for the big screen? Father Ted? Vicar of Dibley? Fawlty Towers? Post your thoughts below.• Which TV sitcoms would you like to see adapted for the big screen? Father Ted? Vicar of Dibley? Fawlty Towers? Post your thoughts below.