After numerous failed attempts over the years, streaming service Netflix is set to become the latest to try its hand at a remake of the classic 1950 James Stewart comedy-drama Harvey, Deadline has revealed.
Writers J. David Stem and David N. Weiss (Shrek 2, The Smurfs) have signed on to write the script for the new film, which will be produced by Fábrica de Cine, the company behind Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Netflix release The Irishman.
Based on the stage play by Mary Chase, Harvey saw Stewart playing Elwood P. Dowd, an eccentric middle-aged man whose best friend is an invisible 6′ 3″ rabbit. Stewart received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, while his co-star Josephine Hull was honoured with the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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In the past twenty years, Miramax, Dimension Films, MGM, 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks have all been linked to a remake, with Steven Spielberg last linked to the director’s chair back in 2009 and both Tom Hanks and Robert Downey Jr. considered for the role of Dowd.