18 years after Mel Gibson discovered What Women Want by hearing their every waking thought, Nancy Meyers’ fantasy rom-com is getting a gender-swapped remake called – you guessed it – What Men Want. This time it’s Taraji P. Henson in the lead as Ali, a sports agent who finds herself muscled out by the men in her workplace. But when an experimental drug-infused tea (and a bang on the head) grants her the ability to hear men’s inner thoughts, she uses it to get ahead of them. The first trailer is here, which you can see below.
Okay, play. Taraji P. Henson is great isn’t she – needs a decent film role though, nothing has managed to use her as well as Empire did. Is that thingy from Silicon Valley? What’s that they’re drinking? Looks like Irn Bru. Aw, it’s good to see that Tracy Morgan’s doing better now. So funny in 30 Rock, I didn't get that eyebrows and keys joke though. The ‘producers of Girls Trip’ bodes well, that was great. Are they going properly mystical with the reason she can hear thoughts? That's interesting. Fun casting with Erykah Badu as the witchy type. Ah ok, she whacks her head too, it's not just magic tea. How did Mel not die in the original when he got electrocuted? When are the jokes coming? Has a man ever genuinely thought the phrase “that’s m’farts”? Ha, that Get Out gag is very good though. Look, if this ends up with Taraji P. Henson smiting terrible men you can count me in. Is that a car chase? Why is there going to be a car chase in What Men Want? That poker idea is good though – but these jokes need to be stronger. Right, back to writing the article.
This time it looks like the Henson will be using her power to get one up on the patriarchy – a potentially smart and timely update on the original concept. Here's hoping the film has the gags to match it. Starring alongside Henson are the likes of Silicon Valley’s Josh Brener, Tracy Morgan, Erykah Badu, Bridesmaids’ Wendi McLendon-Covey and New Girl’s Max Greenfield, with Rock Of Ages and Hairspray director Adam Shankman at the helm. What Men Want will arrive in UK cinemas on 25 January.
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