Channing Tatum is interested in remaking the classic romantic fantasy film, Ghost, and updating the new version for modern audiences. During a new interview with Vanity Fair, the actor-producer revealed that his production company, Free Association, has acquired the rights to the acclaimed 1990 movie, and he’s trying to develop a remake.
“We actually have the rights,” Tatum shared during the interview. “Yeah, we have the rights to Ghost.”
The Independent Spirit Award-winner, who may take on the role of Sam Wheat, which was played by Patrick Swayze in the original Oscar-winning film, added: “we’re going to do something different.” He noted the original movie, like many features of the era, contains problematic stereotypes, so “I think it needs to change a little bit.”
The drama follows Sam, a banker who is madly in love with his girlfriend, Molly Jensen [Demi Moore]. However, when he’s murdered by his friend and corrupt business partner, Carl Bruner [Tony Goldwyn] over a shady business deal, he’s left to roam the earth as a ghost. Upon learning of his friend’s betrayal, Sam seeks the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress] to protect his love from Carl.
Overall, Ghost, which was directed by Jerry Zucker, earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Besides Best Supporting Actress, it also won the Academy Award for Original Screenplay, which was written by Bruce Joel Rubin.
Ghost grossed $505 million worldwide, against a budget of $22–23 million, making it the biggest movie. At the time of its release, it was the third highest-grossing film in history.
Ghost isn’t the first classic comedy that Tatum has tried to reboot. The actor was set to star alongside Jillian Bell in a gender-flipped remake of the mermaid comedy, Splash. However, the movie has not yet made it past the development stage.
Tatum will next be seen in Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third installment in the Magic Mike trilogy. The film follows his titular character, who goes broke after a business deal goes bad. As a result, he turns to bartending in Florida to earn money.
In an effort to return to his former glory, he travels to London with a rich socialite [Salma Hayek] he meets. But he soon finds the woman has an agenda of her own, leaving his career is on the line.
The upcoming comedy-drama was directed by Steven Soderbergh, who also helmed the first entry in the series. Warner Bros. will release the franchise’s second sequel in theaters on February 10.