Keanu Reeves to Star in Remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still

Hollywood’s Remake Machine rolls on, with news that Keanu Reeves has been pegged to star in a remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. Reeves will play Klaatu, a humanoid alien who arrives on Earth accompanied by an indestructible, heavily armed robot and a warning to world leaders that their continued aggression will lead to annihilation by species watching from afar. Wait, Keanu is playing a humanoid and NOT the robot? Hmm, I don’t know, I think someone must have mixed up the casting here… But I digress.

More from Variety:

Erwin Stoff is producing, with Scott Derrickson (”The Exorcism of Emily Rose”) directing from a script by David Scarpa. Reeves’ commitment puts the picture on track for a late fall or early 2008 production start. Studio sees it as a tentpole.

The Klaatu role was originated by Michael Rennie. The 1951 film’s premise, a response to the rise of the Cold War after WWII, is being updated, and the film will use advances in visual effects.

I haven’t seen the original, and as a result don’t really mind the remake, but I’m sure a lot of people will be plenty peeve by yet another unnecessary remake.