Anyone remember Doc Savage? Should they do a remake?

[The Straight Story]

Hollywood’s interest in Doc Savage has hardly languished since the character’s debut in 1933. But it wasn’t until 1975 — more than 40 years after he first appeared on news stands — that Doc Savage made it to the screen.

Numerous attempts have been made over the years to get Doc to the screen. In the 1930s or ’40s, the idea of a Doc Savage serial was floated, but failed because author Lester Dent insisted on writing the script though he had no screenwriting experience, according to Doc authority Will Murray. Plans for a 1950s TV series died for a similar reason.

In the 1960s, Doug Wildey, who created The Adventures of Jonny Quest, roughed out an idea for a Doc Savage animated series. Millennium Publications’ Doc Savage: Manual of Bronze, published in 1992, included a couple of preliminary drawings from this Doc project.

Wildey had a pet peeve when it came to updating vintage characters to contemporary times, according to Murray in a 2004 article in Comic Book Marketplace. Previously he had abandoned a Tom Swift cartoon project for this reason.

http://www.thepulp.net/docmovie.html

[Arkham House]

1. Let's hope they do it right this time...

...the '75 film was, to put it charitably, inadequate...casting is everything. Who'd play Doc? I can't think of a single actor who comes to mind... Maybe John Lithgow as Johnnie...and Johnny Depp would make a cool Ham, but I doubt he'd take a supporting role...Harrison Ford 20 years ago would have made a terrific Rennie...Drew Barrymore would be a great Pat... PS--how about Leonardo di Caprio as Doc? You know--I rather like the idea...

[Kutjara]

3. Vin Diesel could be Doc.

Ow! Ow! Stop hitting me. I'm joking!

[Bucky]

2. I agree with the author here. Doc Savage needs to be done as a period peice.

Anything updated wouldn't really be Doc Savage, just new characters with recycled names. I just can't see him palling around the world with a requisite computer nerd, icy female ninja in an outfit that shows off impractical expanses of skin, and wise-cracking Bernie Mac-style sidekick.

[Bucky]

4. Suggested casting: Willem Dafoe as Doc Savage

[WCGreen]

5. Ashton Kirshner as doc....