Steve Carr has signed on to direct Love On A Bet, a remake of a 1930s RKO comedy that will be produced by the resurrected company.
A word of warning, though: the last time Carr directed a remake of an RKO movie, for RKO, it was the ghastly Are We Done Yet?, which was ostensibly a remake of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
This one, though, would seem to have more potential. The original starred Gene Raymond as a young playwright who bets his rich uncle that he can start a journey in New York wearing nothing but his pants, and finish off in California with a suit, $100 and a fiancée.
Could make for an interesting and witty road movie comedy – so what upgrades does RKO have in mind? "The original took place in the days where it was racy to be in underwear," said RKO’s Ted Hartley, talking to The Hollywood Reporter. "This movie is going to start out with the guy wearing a lot less than his underwear."
Let’s hope that there’s a bit more to it than simply getting rid of the kecks. However, given that Carr has also directed Dr. Dolittle 2 and Daddy Day Care, neither of which pushed the comedic boat out particularly far, we’d be surprised if it got any better than that. Carr, though, can’t wait to start.
"I've done hip-hop videos, family comedies, a quirky comedy," said Carr, who’s currently working on the Kevin James vehicle, Paul Blart: Mall Cop. "What I've always loved are movies like When Harry Met Sally ... and The Sure Thing. This will be my first swing at a romantic comedy."
Sounds like this movie could live and die by its casting – we’ll bring you that when it happens. But if Dane Cook signs on, we're washing our hands of the whole affair.