Shane Black's Death Note Redux

Recently one of our regular blog readers (Sam, this would be YOU) expressed concern over the recent Variety announcement (HERE) that writer/director Shane Black was tapped by Warner Bros. to direct the live action version of the Japanese Manga series "Death Note," created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.

For the uninitiated, "Death Note" concerns a high school teen who discovers a supernatural notebook that grants the user the ability to kill anyone if they write their name in the book while picturing their face. The story has already been adapted into a series of films back in 2006 produced by Nippon television, but Warner Bros. can't seem to leave well enough alone and now wish to further dilute the material for American audiences.

What I (as well as Sam) find to be more disconcerting than yet another comic adaptation is Warner's choice in director.  In the late 80's an early 90's Shane Black was a screenwriting GOD, creating some of the most memorable action films in cinema, including the "Lethal Weapon" series, "The Last Boy Scout," and the grossly underrated, "The Long Kiss Goodnight."



Black only has one directorial effort under his belt ("Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"), and that was done over six years ago, which can be an eternity in Hollywood to go so long between projects.  Unfortunately this seems to be the trend in motion picture industry as of late, where exceptionally talented writers and directors (Lawrence Kasdan, John Carpenter, as well as Black) can't see to get arrested, much less get work, being passed over for a younger (and far less talented) group of filmmakers.

As a result, veteran talent are forced to take just about anything in an effort to sustain their careers.  Black helming "Death Note" seems to be a good example of this, considering he didn't even write the screenplay (was penned by Charley and Vlas Parlapanides) and the material seems to be a better match for someone like Wes Craven.

Black is an action man.  His screenplays are visceral, well constructed, and contain some of the best dialogue of the genre ("I'm too old for this shit!").  He also wrote a very charming piece of 80's nostalgia called "The Monster Squad."



I consider "Death Note" to be a bit of a step down for such a talent, saddled with yet another remake in an industry that seems to be completely bereft of original ideas.  Having already plundered our own American comic books, novels, TV shows, and 80's remakes, they now turn their attention to vastly superior foreign properties.  Sad.

If there's any bright spot to be found here, it's that Shane Black is also attached to write and direct the big screen version of "Doc Savage" for Columbia.  Yes, it is still an adaptation, but at least it puts Black back on familiar ground where he can do the most cinematic damage with explosions, car chases, and clever dialogue.

In the meantime I'll be content to re-watch "The Long Kiss Goodnight" (easily his second best screenplay) and long for the days when original heroes kicked some original ass.

As for the endless Hollywood remake, reboot, re-imagined machine?  Well, I believe Shane Black said it best: 

"Die screaming, motherfucker!"

"Deeds, not words..."