Quentin Tarantino Once Considered Remaking a Classic Movie

Quentin Tarantino is famous for his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema, particularly the gritty and low-budget world of American International Pictures. During the middle decades of the twentieth century, AIP became a powerhouse in the “B” movie scene by focusing on high-energy stories centered on rock and roll and rebellious youth.

Many of these projects were overseen by Roger Corman, the legendary figure known as the “Pope of Pop Cinema,” who famously mentored some of the greatest directors in history.

In a candid discussion with fellow filmmaker Roger Avary, Tarantino admitted that he once came very close to directing a remake of a classic Corman film from 1957 titled Rock All Night. He expressed immense admiration for the original production, stating that the script is fantastic and specifically praising the performance of actor Dick Miller. According to the director, this project was the closest I ever came to actually committing to a remake throughout his entire career.

The opportunity arose during the early nineties when Tarantino was still riding the wave of success from his debut feature. Producers Deborah Hill and Lou Arkoff were developing a series for Showtime called Rebel Highway, which was intended to pay homage to the delinquent-themed films of the AIP era. While other directors involved in the series chose to invent entirely new stories using only the punchy titles of the old movies, Tarantino wanted to remain faithful to the original plot.

He had a specific vision for the lead role, imagining his frequent collaborator Tim Roth as the protagonist who goes into bars and starts s***. The story follows a group of gangsters who seize control of a roadhouse and hold the patrons hostage, only to be outsmarted by a local troublemaker. Tarantino described this character as a total a****** but noted that he is exactly the a****** you need in that situation to defeat the criminals.

Tarantino even dreamed up a unique creative twist that would have transported the story to Memphis and incorporated the king of rock and roll himself. He envisioned a version featuring Elvis Presley in a plotline where the singer is coerced by the hostage-takers into performing a song about his mother. Despite this elaborate plan, the director eventually felt a sense of hesitation when he realized how desperate the producers were to sign him.

The eagerness of the production team made Tarantino pause and consider his growing status in the industry after the release of Reservoir Dogs. He began to feel that he was kinda the man at that moment and questioned whether he should be taking on what he called a fun little assignment alongside a group of other directors. Ultimately, he decided that his next step needed to be a major cinematic statement rather than a television project.

This decision proved to be a turning point in film history, as it cleared the way for him to create the masterpiece Pulp Fiction. Avary agreed that passing on the remake was the correct move, as the subsequent film went on to win the Palme d’Or and completely transform the landscape of modern movies. Tarantino’s instinct to prioritize his own original voice over a nostalgic remake ensured his place as a leading auteur of his generation.

If Tarantino had chosen to direct a remake of a 1950s “B” movie instead of making Pulp Fiction, how do you think the history of 90s cinema would have changed? Share your thoughts in the comments.