A remake of Disney’s 1984 hit filmSplashis on its way. The remake was first announced in 2016, but as of this month more developments have come to light.The originalSplashstarred Tom Hanksand Daryl Hannah and was directed by Ron Howard. Hanks plays Allen Bauer, who was saved from drowning by a mermaid when he was eight-years-old. Twenty years later and recently single,Hanks' Allen is saved by the same mermaid- played by Hannah - after a diving mishap during which Allen loses his wallet, though it is found later by Hannah’s character.
Though their paths diverge temporarily, they are brought back together by the NYPD after they arrest the mermaid for indecent exposure and Allen’s information found with her. As he shows her around New York and teaches her about the human world - a process that includes the mermaid adopting the name Madison after Madison Avenue - Allen falls in love with her. The end of the movie sees the two swimming back to Madison’s undersea home to live happily ever after, Allen having been given the ability to breathe underwater via a kiss from Madison.
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Although it’s been several years since the remake’s first announcement was made, the announcement of a new writer on the project has made those following the film’s progress hopeful.Deadline reports that screenwriter Sarah Rothschildwill be tackling the script. Rothschild wrote theNetflix action filmThe Sleepover, which was directed by Trish Sie and starred Ken Marino, Malin Ackerman, and Joe Manganiello. Rothschild’s other work has included adapting the novelThe Love Hypothesiswritten by Ali Hazelwood and re-imaginingWorking Girlwith the screenplay24/7- a project that has Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington attached to it.
According to prior announcements, Jillian Bell and Channing Tatum - both of22 Jump Street- are set to star in theSplashremake. Rather than Tatum taking on Hanks' role and Bell taking on Hannah’s role, the original announcement of the remake stated thatTatum would be playing the mermaidand Bell would be playing the human. While no further cast announcements have been made thus far, there have been no announcements regarding Tatum or Bell leaving the project.
While remaking a forty-year-old film may not seem like a step in the right direction, it might be time for the story to get modern retelling. The original film made nearly $70M at the domestic box office, making it a huge success for Disney - especially considering it was the first film released under their Touchstone label. With Disney releasing more and moreadult-geared content between theStar Warsfranchiseand the MCU, the decision to remake a film that successfully appealed to adult audiences makes more sense than ever. While not pushing any boundaries in terms of content, Disney certainly isn’t just for kids anymore. A remake ofSplashcould be the first step in Disney’s plan to create more adult content that doesn’t rely on the support of a full franchise.
