Summary
- Glen Powell debunks his supposed involvement in the
Backdraft
remake, clarifying it’s just a rumor, despite producer Brian Grazer’s previous comments. - Fans of the Kurt Russell-led firefighter thriller were divided on the announcement of a remake, lamenting th lack of original movies in Hollywood.
- Though he has a few recent original movies and some upcoming, Powell’s recent trend of starring in legacy sequels and remakes could lead to career pigeonholing if he were to also star in the
Backdraft
remake.
Despite initial reports indicating he was all lined up to lead the new version of the movie, Glen Powell clarifies his involvement in the Backdraft remake. Kurt Russell led Ron Howard’s original 1991 thriller, starring as Chicago Fire Lieutenant Bull McCaffrey as he and his team of firefighters, including his hotheaded younger brother, investigate a series of fires carried out by a serial arsonist. Reports of the Backdraft remake first swirled in July 2024 when producer Brian Grazer indicated that he was working on a new incarnation with Powell set to star.
Now, during a recent interview with The Playlist‘s Discourse Podcast to discuss his upcoming Audible comedy The Best Man’s Ghostwriter, Powell was asked about his apparent involvement in the Backdraft remake. The actor quickly debunked Grazer’s prior comments, confirming it’s “not really a thing“, but also acknowledging that the world of the firefighter franchise is “ripe for exploration“. See what Powell explained below:
Yeah, that’s not really a thing. So, I’m not really sure. Yeah [it’s a rumor], but I mean, obviously, I’m a fan of Backdraft. I think Backdraft is an incredible film. I’m a huge Kurt Russell fan, as well. I think it’s a world that’s ripe for exploration, but not in terms of me around it. That’s nothing I can really speak to it.
The Backdraft Remake Could Pigeonhole Powell
His recent trend of remakes and legacy sequels could prevent wider roles.
At the time of Grazer’s comments, the response to the prospect of a Backdraft remake was decidedly mixed, particularly from fans of the original movie, who lamented a lack of ideas sparking further remakes. Others also noted that the previous attempt to franchise the firefighter thriller with 2019’s Backdraft 2 proved to be further underwhelming, sparking further calls for the original movie to be left alone. While Powell’s comments may not outright debunk the remake’s overall development, it could be beneficial for avoiding a career pigeonhole.
Though he has been the lead of some original projects in recent years, including the critically acclaimed dark romantic comedy Hit Man and sleeper hit rom-com Anyone but You, Powell has established something of a trend of starring in remakes and legacy sequels recently. This trend first began with Top Gun: Maverick, which became the second-highest-grossing film of 2022, and continued with the recently released Twisters, which has seen both strong reviews and strong box office returns. It’s also set to continue with his upcoming remake of Stephen King’s The Running Man, which is set to begin filming later this year.
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While the star does have a number of original roles on the horizon, including J.J. Abrams’ new mystery project, in which he’ll star alongside Jenna Ortega, Powell signing on for the Backdraft remake could further see him eyed to lead nostalgia-driven projects. Given audiences are largely feeling fatigued by this surge of legacy sequels and remakes, the new version of the firefighter thriller would have to do something special akin to Twisters and Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy in order to establish some interest in the movie’s fanbase.
Source: Discourse Podcast
Backdraft
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller directed by Ron Howard, focusing on the lives of Chicago firefighters. The film stars Kurt Russell and William Baldwin as two brothers who must overcome their differences while investigating a series of arson attacks. Featuring Robert De Niro as an arson investigator, the narrative dives deep into the dangers firefighters face and the complexities of familial relationships within the fire department.
- Release Date
- May 24, 1991
- Writers
- Gregory Widen
- Cast
- Kurt Russell , William Baldwin , Robert De Niro , Donald Sutherland , Jennifer Jason Leigh , Scott Glenn
- Runtime
- 132 minutes