Warner Bros. is developing a new take on the 1958 cult classic ‘Attack of the 50-Foot Woman,’ with Tim Burton set to direct and Gillian Flynn writing the script. This project will follow the story of troubled heiress Nancy Archer, who encounters a UFO and grows into a giantess.
The original film, made for just $88,000 USD, was a surprise hit with its iconic poster art.
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Attack of the 50 Foot Woman’ (1958) is an independently made American science fiction horror film directed by Nathan H. Juran (credited as Nathan Hertz). The film stars Allison Hayes, William Hudson, and Yvette Vickers. Produced by Bernard Woolner, the screenplay was written by Mark Hanna, with the original music score composed by Ronald Stein.
Distributed by Allied Artists as a double feature with ‘War of the Satellites,’ the television version runs 75 minutes, including a long printed crawl, repeated sequences, and hold-frames designed to lengthen the film’s running time.
The original was a stand-alone film produced in 1958 for a mere $88,000 USD. The narrative focuses on Nancy Archer, a troubled heiress whose life is profoundly changed following a close encounter with a UFO. Even her philandering husband, Harry, and his mistress, Honey, are not persuaded by Nancy’s ludicrous tale, and things quickly change when she starts to grow… and grow!
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A 1993 remake directed by Christopher Guest and starring Daryl Hannah put a feminist spin on the material but was a box office flop. Critics were unimpressed (30% on Rotten Tomatoes). Burton, known for his unique style, is no stranger to ’50s sci-fi classics, having directed ‘Mars Attacks’ (1996) and ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’ (1994). He also helmed a remake of ‘Planet of the Apes’ (2001).
“That’s why it is hard for me to watch the movies afterwards, because I still feel the emotional whatever of it. I don’t get a release from that,” Burton said of his past experiences making major movies.
“But I do enjoy all the people I’ve worked with. On this last one, Beetlejuice 2, I really enjoyed it,” he added at the time. “I tried to strip everything and go back to the basics of working with good people and actors and puppets. It was kind of like going back to why I liked making movies.”
Flynn, who wrote the script for ‘Gone Girl’ and the Emmy-nominated ‘Sharp Objects,’ will bring her talents to the new ‘Attack of the 50-Foot Woman.’ She serves as co-showrunner and head writer for the upcoming HBO series ‘Dark Places.’ Burton, who has previously expressed disappointment with the emotional impact of major movies, enjoyed his experience working on ‘Beetlejuice 2.’
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