Toxic Avenger Remake Script Is Better Than 80s Movie Says Creator
The script for the upcoming The Toxic Avenger reboot is even better than the original '80s movie, according to creator Lloyd Kaufman. The Toxic Avenger first opened in theaters in 1984. After an extremely limited theatrical release, the film caught on as a cult classic midnight movie among grindhouse theaters in New York City. It spawned cartoons, comics, and multiple sequels including The Toxic Avenger Part II, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie, and Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV. In 2019, Legendary Pictures (Godzilla vs. Kong) picked up the rights to and quickly set Macon Blair to write and direct a Toxic Avengers reboot.
Blair, who got his start as an actor starring in movies like Green Room and Logan Lucky, released his directorial debut, the comedy-thriller I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and was picked up by Netflix. In late 2020, Emmy-winning actor Peter Dinklage was cast as the Toxic Avenger, moving Blair's project forward. Now, Kaufman says the script for the remake is better than the original.
Kaufman spoke to Dread Central and had this to say about the upcoming The Toxic Avenger reboot:
Macon Blair knows Troma better than I do. He’s seen everything. He’s seen the cartoon, he’s seen the Halloween special, he’s seen everything. And he loves our movies like Troma’s War and Terror Firmer. I’ve read the script and it’s better than the original and I leave it to him. If I’m called upon, I’d be happy to jump in.
That's certainly nice of Kaufman, who co-founded Troma Entertainment in 1974 and had a breakout success with The Toxic Avenger. Not all creators are pleased with their original work being adapted (just ask Alan Moore about the Watchmen adaptations). However, even the most devoted fans of Troma and The Toxic Avenger would have to admit that being better than the original is a pretty low bar to clear. In fact, part of the first movie's appeal is that it's knowingly a "bad" film. Based on Kaufman's words, though, Blair has tapped into the extremely specific vibe of the original movie that helped it become a success.
There have been multiple attempts to reboot The Toxic Avenger over the last few years, including with versions that would have starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Toxic Avenger's mentor, have been directed by Kevin Smith, or even been family-friendly. One constant has always been the involvement of Kaufman, though he now says he has learned to step back and let the new creative team do their work without his help. It's unclear when the The Toxic Avenger reboot will begin filming, but here's hoping it doesn't go the way of all the other aborted Toxie projects.
Source: Dread Central