A remake of 1984’s Threads is confirmed, this time as a television series from the company behind Adolescence. More here.
You’d likely have never have believed the man who directed the Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston-headlined The Bodyguard is also behind the most devastating depiction of a nuclear war on screen. But then Mick Jackson, who also directed the likes of Volcano and L.A. Story, did just that.
In 1984, he was behind Threads, a haunting television movie that we talked about here. Screened on the BBC, it was penned by Barry Hines, and focused on the impact of a nuclear war in the north east of England. By geographically focusing the story, and combining it with clattering news reports and destructive inserts, it remains hugely impactful and utterly haunting. Few people get to the end and instantly think they’d like to watch it again.
In fact, it was screened very few times, given how unsettling it was (and is). Only in recent times – not least thanks to the BBC putting it on iPlayer – has it become more widely available.
And crikey. Somebody’s decided to give it another go.
Read more: Threads | Revisiting one of the most terrifying films ever made
Warp Films is currently behind the hugely successful Adolescence, and it’s confirmed that it’s now picked up the rights to put together a new Threads. It’s going to be a series rather than a television movie, and in the nicest sense, I’m already not looking forward to it.
“This adaptation will explore prescient issues through rich, character-driven storytelling. The original film’s chilling account immerses viewers in the struggles of ordinary people facing unimaginable hardship”, said Warp Films in a statement. It’s unclear as of yet who the creatives are going to be on the new series, and whether it’ll be retaining its Sheffield geographic focus.
But also, in times of turmoil for the world, the idea of a modern take on Threads isn’t exactly feeling like Christmas coming early. More as we hear it. Yikes.
