Producer Brian Grazer announced on CNBC that a “Backdraft” remake was in the works with Glen Powell set to star in the lead role.
Originally directed by Ron Howard, and receiving mixed reviews, 1991’s “Backdraft” starred Kurt Russell and William Baldwin as two feuding firefighter brothers forced to work together when a dangerous arsonist comes to Chicago.
Grazer believes that “Backdraft,” which grossed $153M domestically, could still be a huge hit today due to the “advancement of digital effects.” He adds that, despite the superhero boom, audiences still crave films with real people.
I’m not entirely sure why Powell would want to remake this film, especially with all of the projects piling up on his schedule, but he seems very keen on making the film, with Grazer admitting that it was Powell who came to him with the idea.
Powell, 35, is everywhere these days. His success on “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Anyone But You,” and Linklater’s “Hitman” has opened up many doors for him. He’s the co-lead in the summer blockbuster “Twisters,” hitting theaters this weekend, and is set to star in upcoming new films from JJ Abrams, Edgar Wright, and John Patton Ford.
It’s not just the projects he’s set to star in, it’s also the ones he’s rejected. Powell recently confirmed having turned down offers to lead upcoming ‘Bourne Identity’ and ‘Jurassic Park’ reboots.
Before Powell broke out with “Top Gun: Maverick,” he was acting in small-ish roles for the last 20 years. Did you know he was in “The Dark Knight Rises”? He played a trader at the Gotham Stock Exchange who gets his head smashed by Bane.