Demme joins MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE

Director joins Denzel Washington in remake of 1962 classic

By Jennifer H. Tomooka     November 25, 2002
Source: VARIETY

VAREITY reports Jonathan Demme (THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE, BELOVED) is currently in negotiations to helm the Paramount remake of the 1962 John Frankenheimer classic, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, which currently has Denzel Washington (OUT OF TIME, TRAINING DAY) attached as to star.

The original CANDIDATE, which starred Frank Sinatra (OCEAN'S ELEVEN, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY), focused on Korean War soldiers who were mentally rewired by communists who wanted to assassinate the President of the United States. After President Kennedy's assassination, Sinatra bought the film's rights and prevented any remakes of CANDIDATE. Before his death, he gave his daughter, Nancy, permission to produce a remake.

The film will mark the second pairing of Demme and Washington. The two worked together on PHILADELPHIA in 1993.

Daniel Pyne (SUM OF ALL FEARS, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY) penned the updated script. Scott Rudin (THE HOURS, STEPFORD WIVES), and Nancy Sinatra (MOVIN' WITH NANCY), will produce the remake. Production will begin next fall.

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