A collaborator of Guillermo del Toro hopes to remake an Oscar-winning sci-fi movie originally released in 1966. Del Toro, known for bringing chilling creatures and other fantasy elements to life, has garnered mainstream recognition and a loyal following from the Hellboy and Pacific Rim franchises. However, he has also created many celebrated and award-winning films, including the dark fairytale-like Pan’s Labyrinth and his fantastical romance and Best Picture winner The Shape of Water.

Throughout his career, del Toro has worked alongside frequent collaborators, including some who have voiced characters for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and who will appear in his upcoming Frankenstein adaptation. Behind the camera, he has continued partnering with other Hollywood creatives, notably David S. Goyer, who wrote and executive-produced Blade II. Since then, Goyer and del Toro have produced the folk horror movie Antlers and Goyer served as a writer for an installment of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

David S. Goyer Wants To Continue Remaking Fantastic Voyage

The Filmmaker Hopes To Work With Del Toro Again

Goyer is hoping to finally remake Fantastic Voyage, which originally premiered in 1966 and was helmed by acclaimed director Richard Fleischer. The sci-fi adventure movie depicts a submarine crew on board the Proteus, who are made smaller and placed inside a comatose scientist to save him. The original cast of Fantastic Voyage includes Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch, Edmond O’Brien, Arthur O’Connell, Donald Pleasence, and Arthur Kennedy. Following its release, the Oscar winner was praised by audiences, but a potential Fantastic Voyage remake, written by Goyer and directed by del Toro, has been stalled for eight years.

During a recent interview with Forbes, Goyer revealed that while Fantastic Voyage was canceled, he enjoyed collaborating with del Toro and James Cameron. However, Goyer remains positive about getting the remake up and running again.

Goyer explained that he and del Toro have been close for a long time and that he is familiar with Steve Asbell, President of Production at 20th Century, teasing that he may try to “resurrect” the movie. He also added that there is an unmade Star Wars film he and del Toro developed. Read Goyer’s comments below:

Guillermo’s a good friend. We’ve worked on about five or six projects together. We were in prep on Fantastic Voyage and it was very close. A production designer was on and all of the above. While we were in prep for that, Guillermo said, “I’ve got this deal with Searchlight” and “Do you have any scripts that could be made for $20 million?” and I gave him a script called Antlers that we produced together. Fantastic Voyage got derailed with the-then regime at Fox, but God, it was a good one. It was such a great experience working with Guillermo and James Cameron on that, and then my experience working on that led to my working on Terminator: Dark Fate with Cameron and we got along great.

I’ve known Guillermo forever. I hope one day we can figure out [how to get Fantastic Voyage made]. In fact, now, my friend Steve Asbell is running [20th Century Studios], so it occurs to me that I should call him up and say, “Hey, maybe we should try to resurrect this.” I also have a Star Wars script I wrote with Guillermo that hasn’t been made, so there are definitely a few ones that have gotten away.

What This Means For The Fantastic Voyage Remake

Will It Eventually Be Made?

Based on these latest comments from Goyer, a Fantastic Voyage remake could still end up happening. Despite del Toro being linked, and James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment also being involved, the movie has been stalled for a long time. However, adding to Goyer’s optimism, Cameron previously revealed that Fantastic Voyage may finally begin moving forward. Following his recent successful films, should Guillermo del Toro take up directing duties, the remake could prove to be a major hit among general audiences and fans of the original.

Source: Forbes