Most Unexpected Movie News Of The Year: Christopher Nolan’s Memento To Be Remade

Film fans worldwide may not have collectively scratched their heads this hard since… well, since ‘Memento’ came out in 2001.

The low budget independent breakthrough film from director Christopher Nolan with star turns from Guy Pearce, Carrie Anne-Moss and Joe Pantoliano, boasting a highly unorthodox structure which demands the viewer’s full attention from start to finish, ‘Memento’ is a detective thriller like no other.

Until now, at least - as word breaks that a remake is in the works.

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The Hollywood Reporter announces that film company AMBI Pictures have acquired the rights to the film and intend to finance and produce the remake. No potential director, writer or cast have been named.

Nolan’s film cast Pearce as a man desperately trying to find his wife’s murderer, whilst afflicted by a memory disorder which robs him of all short-term memory, forcing him to rely on notes in the form of Polaroid pictures and hastily-applied tattoos.

To convey his disorientation - and keep the audience on their toes - the film plays out in 10-15 minute sequences in reverse-chronological order.

The director’s second film after his little-seen, ultra-low budget 1998 debut ‘Following,’ Nolan went from ‘Memento’ to 2002′s ‘Insomnia’ to 2005′s ‘Batman Begins’ - and the rest, as they say, is history.

Remake producer Monika Bacardi declares the 2000 film “a masterpiece that leaves audiences guessing not just throughout the film, but long after as well, which is a testament to its daring approach.“

She continues, “We intend to stay true to Christopher Nolan’s vision and deliver a memorable movie that is every bit as edgy, iconic and award-worthy as the original.”

The general reaction on movie sites and social media is in agreement with Bacardi’s praise of Nolan’s film - and utter bewilderment as to AMBI’s motivation in remaking it.

The Verge call it “the remake nobody asked for,” whilst Birth Movies Death declare the AMBI producers “idiots” and insist “any remake [will] feel like a hollow retread no matter what.”

Likewise, Collider call the remake a “terrible idea.” Slashfilm said they would “withhold our judgement, for now,” but didn’t convey particular confidence.

We’d certainly have to add our voice to the chorus of bewilderment. Not only is it very hard to imagine how any new take on ‘Memento’ could improve on the original, it also seems extremely premature to remake a film that’s barely fifteen years old and (the use of prominent use of Polaroid photographs notwithstanding) hasn’t really aged.

AMBI bought ‘Memento’ as part of a catalogue which also includes ‘Donnie Darko,’ ‘Sliding Doors’ and ‘Cruel Intentions’ - and though no remake plans for any of these are mentioned, it seems fair to assume the possibilities are there.

Picture Credit: Newmarket