Princess Bride Remake Rumors Are False

The internet is abuzz with revived rumors that The Princess Bride will be the latest classic film to be revisited in what seems like an endless stream of soulless remakes of beloved movies.

The rumor popped up before, in fall 2011, when USA Today ran an article discussing such a possibility, starting a Twitter fire that took several days to put out, though in the end it appeared that it was an erroneous report.

At the time, The Princess Bride actor Mandy Patinkin told Entertainment Weekly that he would be highly dismayed if the 1987 cult classic were remade.

I hope I'm dead before that happens, Patinkin told Entertainment Weekly, referencing a The Princess Bride remake. I don't want to have to go through that. Be careful what you even say.

But Billy Crystal, who was also in the original cast of The Princess Bride, seemed more open to such a proposal.

There should be a Max and Valerie movie, Crystal said, speaking about two of the film's funniest characters. Start a Twitter thing: 'We want more Max and Valerie.'

It appears, according to recent postings on several Web sites, like FamilyVideo.com, AspiringMama.com and ReelLifeWithJane.com, that Crystal may get his wish.

Director Jason Reitman recently announced the cast for his planned project and they are certainly up to the challenge, Paste magazine reports, reads FamilyVideo.com's Jan. 19 posting about the possibility of a The Princess Bride remake.

The main character of Westley is set to be played by Paul Rudd who has become a favorite among directors over the last several years. His love interested, the titular princess, will be played by Mindy Kaling, best known for her role as Kelly on 'The Office.' The supporting cast is just as impressive as the two leads, the publication reports. Comedians Patton Oswalt and Nick Kroll are both on board as well.

The FamilyVideo.com announcement appears to have been the impetus behind the open letter to Hollywood that was posted on AspiringMama.com on Jan. 22, pleading with producers not to remake The Princess Bride for her sake.

AspiringMama may as well be the grandson [played by Fred Savage] in the film saying, Hold it, hold it. What is this? Are you trying to trick me? That's how incredulous the posting is:

We let you have Footloose. We ignored The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. And Neil Patrick Harris made The Smurfs at least palatable, the letter read. And we're letting you slide on your current obsession with remaking every single movie ever released in 3D just because you can ... I'm willing to let bygones be bygones if you just let us have 'The Princess Bride.'

Many Twitter users were even more angry, voicing their displeasure with even the concept of a The Princess Bride remake.

Twitter user @BookAddictKatie was moved nearly to the point of physical revulsion by the rumor, Tweeting this message on Jan. 21: They are remaking the PRINCESS BRIDE... I think I am going to throw up.

And AspiringMama.com even set up a petition on Change.org to implore Hollywood to stop a The Princess Bride remake from ever being produced.

But it appears that the reports are nothing more than a mistake, as FamilyVideo.com sourced them only to Paste magazine.

Paste did in fact run an article on Dec. 15 about Reitman's recent connection with The Princess Bride. But upon closer inspection, readers will quickly see that the director--who won Oscars for Up in the Air and Juno--simply staged a reading of the film's script with the aforementioned stars, and that there is no mention in the article of a plan to remake the movie. So it appears the early reports are wrong, all wrong.

Reitman has just announced the cast for his third reading, The Princess Bride, the Paste article read. The lead role of Westley will be played by Paul Rudd; the Princess Bride will be played by The Office's Mindy Kaling; Patton Oswalt will play Vizzini, and Kevin Pollack will play Miracle Max, the role originally played by Billy Crystal. Bill Fagerbaake, who was on Coach and voices Patrick Star on Spongebob Squarepants will take on Andre the Giant's role of Fezzick and The League's Nick Kroll will play Count Rugen. The live reading will occur tonight at Los Angeles' LACMA.

In other words, be not afraid lovers of The Princess Bride, for the film appears free from remakes, at least for the time being.

As Peter Falk, the grandfather in the film, so eloquently said, She doesn't get eaten by the eels at this time ... The eel doesn't get her. I'm explaining to you because you look nervous.