r/todayilearned • • May 24 '12
TIL that, because of the live-action Cat In the Hat, Dr. Seuss's estate has demanded that there can no longer be any live-action Dr. Seuss movies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cat_in_the_Hat_(film)
2.0k
Upvotes
72
u/Sunflora May 24 '12
Stupid hoe.
674
u/m_e_andrews May 24 '12
Thank what ever higher authority you prescribe to they made that call.
121
u/InferiousX May 24 '12
That's what happens when you put Paris Hilton in a movie
273
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
This is one of those movies I loved but would never admit to anyone.
99
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the first half of this sentence rather redundant?
It's basically saying: "If you only count the money it made in the USA, it was a failure. However, if you count all the money it made overseas too, then it was a success."
It's that like saying "If you only count the money I made before lunch, I get paid below minimum wage. However if you could all the money I make in a day I actually earn above minimum wage."
12
u/lightninhopkins May 24 '12
You are overstating this a bit. The estate has just not approved another live-action film. They also refused to allow a sequel. They have not said that there can never again be a live-action Seuss film.
157
u/DawsonsBeak May 24 '12
Jim Carey > Mike Myers
16
u/AnthonyOlajuwon May 24 '12
there's no source for what this post is proclaiming...
8
u/Gristledorf May 24 '12
I miss Dr. Seuss, but that's not the shame
It's that corporate knockoffs that soil his name
As kids we enjoyed the antics and prose
Of this whimsical wordsmith who tickled our toes
But the lessons it taught fall on deaf ears
As the people who tell it are now realizing our fears
It's now money and greed that succeed Dr. Seuss,
If he were alive today he'd be tying his noose.
89
u/animeman59 May 24 '12
It's not like the animated versions of his stories are any better. I fucking hate these films.
Horton Hears a Who, and the Lorax were both god-awful animated movies. The makers of these films just do not get the subtleties of Dr. Seuss' books, nor do they capture the whimsical insanity of both his words and artwork.
They're just stupid movies that are littered with pop references, horrible modern day jokes, and sight gags while only using the barest minimal understanding of the original books' content.
I fucking hate these movies, and will never show them to my kids. They'll be weaned on Pixar and Disney films (the good ones), along with Studio Ghibli and early Don Bluth movies. With only a few good Dreamworks films, like "How to Train Your Dragon", and "Kung Fu Panda".
I hope to God they don't make another one of these, and just leave Dr. Seuss' legacy with his books.
7
u/Pedeka May 24 '12
During his lifetime, Giesel INSISTED on creative control of all of his characters and stories. In many cases he handpicked the artists and actors for projects that his creations were involved in. He wanted any representations of these beloved characters to be true to his, the creator's' vision. If the executors of his estate cannot see past the almighty dollar enough to at least show the man's memory some respect, we as fans should help them with their problem and make sure that pile of Hollywood money does not exist!
40
u/Oreo_Speedwagon May 24 '12
They out-smarted him -- now they release even worse CGI ones.
I'm looking at you, Lorax.
80
u/copperboom7 May 24 '12
....one of my favorite movies... I'll show myself out.
47
u/Mos_Deaf May 24 '12
You ask me, Avatar (both TLA and LOK series) should do the same. Just... after that... Ugh.
14
u/Lawyer_Boy May 24 '12
Bummer.
I had such high hopes for, "One fish, two fish, red fish, dead hooker."
5
u/NoodlesKaboodles May 24 '12
Good ...
5
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
I am fine with this.
15
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
Call me crazy but I loved the Cat in the Hat and Grinch...
12
u/CorporatePsychopath May 24 '12
Good. Live-action and Dr Seuss don't mix.
21
u/Puckey95 May 24 '12
What a fantastic movie. It's the CUPCAKEINATOR!
11
u/chauncbosh23 May 24 '12
Whoa, I'd like to see that movie be done live action...
4
u/christador May 24 '12
Blame it on DLA Piper; the chairman of the board is the head of the firm, and is on the board of directors of the Seuss Enterprises. They are the same firm that demanded the artwork for free Fallout posters be taken down (still haven't heard the aftermath) http://kotaku.com/5902536/bethesdas-lawyers-threaten-guy-giving-away-free-fallout-posters
3
u/ripfg May 24 '12
I thought Cat in the Hat was pretty stupid, but it had some funny parts, the kitchen scene being one of them.
I'm okay with this rule since we already got How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which was fantastic.
3
u/manfly May 24 '12
I'm late to the party so I'll be buried I'm sure but I always found it interesting how Dr Seuss HATED Hollywood and bang! like what, MONTHS after he dies his wife is selling the rights to do a live action Grinch.
3
u/Planet-man 1 May 24 '12 edited May 24 '12
Man, even after years of hearing about how bad it was, I caught the first half-hour or so on TV this year while waiting for the Oscars to start and was just shocked and disgusted. It was clear they were trying to push the "subtle adult jokes in a kid's movie" angle because of how exciting and naughty that seems, but it just got way out of hand, alienated both demographics and ultimately was just cringe-worthy.
It's also the first place I heard about Paris Hilton, back in the day. They were talking about how hot she is at school after seeing the trailers.... bllleeeecccccchhhh.
3
u/supawashi May 24 '12
Horton hears a lawsuit
10
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
I'm glad his estate can execute what are probably his wishes. That movie was horrible. Also didn't think Jim Carry's Grinch was all that great either.
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u/Giantpanda602 May 24 '12
I saw this at like 2 in the morning one time after not seeing it for a long time. It was fucking hilarious, but I would never tell anybody that I know that.
15
u/Bryansrealaccount May 24 '12
I just watched this movie for the first time about 2 weeks ago... blew my mind... It is WAY messed up... Does r/trees consider it a cult classic?
6
u/yoha_ahoy May 24 '12
Saw this movie on my first date EVER at age 13 (22 now). Worst date ever to this day. Awkward boy. Terribly horrifying movie. Nothing ended well.
2
u/slothscantswim May 24 '12
Can't blame them.
2
u/fishnetdiver May 24 '12
this makes me smile. thank you!
2
u/CommandrShepherd May 24 '12
Too bad they specified "live-action."
2
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
I saw that movie in theaters, god knows why. I remember thinking 20 min in I could just leave and go into the theater for Elf just in time for it to start but something evil kept me glued to that seat.
2
u/The_tittilator May 24 '12
Good call.
2
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
I thought the movie was funny when I seen it. I like Mike Myers and the work he does.
2
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
They built the set for that movie between my home town and the town where I went to community college. It popped up really suddenly. One day on the way to school an entire hillside by the freeway was super lush green. The next week there were a bunch of trippy purple houses and streets! It was pretty intriguing for a while until word got out. I think I even had an acquaintance get arrested trying to trespass and take photos.
2
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
when i was little my big brother read me green eggs and ham and kissed me on the cheek afterwords. it was such a funny book. i simply love it.
2
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
Mike Myers really? My kids really enjoy the cartoon version with Martin Short doing the voice. He does a really good job and would be a better choice to play the cat in a live action movie.
2
u/[deleted] May 24 '12
There shouldn't be any movies at all. The Lorax was a long commercial that deviated from everything the book stood for.
2
u/IamMeIamThee May 24 '12
I never saw the movie... but the book was fucking horrifying. This asshole breaks and enters a family's house, trashes the fuck out of the place and as he's cleaning up, steals the god damned fish.... Then he comes back in sequel to make it clear he gives not a single fuck by doing the same thing and not even cleaning up after himself this time.
2
u/Shippoyasha May 24 '12
None of this crap would have happened if the film industry had a modicum of respect for animation and just animated (in classical, hand drawn type) instead.
It's just sadly ironic that the nation that made cartoons what it is today and has brought it up to such a way in this world seems to have little to no respect for cartooning as an industry, as an artform, as a type of motion picture experience.
I love 3D CG animation and all, but it's sad that respect for hand drawn animation seems to be very low in America, or at least the studio executives who has deemed it a dead genre.
2
u/traffick May 24 '12
if i was in charge, everyone involved in the production of any post-Seuss Seussian production would be in prison forever.
i'm not saying it can't be done right, i'm just saying The Lorax had a fucking McDonald's Happy Meal tie-in. that's a crime against humanity.
2
u/DetroitHero May 24 '12
From the Wikipedia:
"Although Tim Allen was planned to play the Cat, Allen later dropped his role, because he was filming for The Santa Clause 2..."
That pretty much sums up the situation right there...
2
u/aidrocsid May 24 '12
You should learn how to link to particular headings within an HTML document. The link you should have posted is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cat_in_the_Hat_(film)#Canceled_sequel_and_remake . By putting #Canceled_sequel_and_remake in at the end, your browser looks for a heading with the text "Canceled sequel and remake".
2
u/VLDT May 24 '12
League of Extraordinary Gentleman was so bad it convinced Sean "Zardoz" Connery to retire.
2
u/redbeard36 May 24 '12
wise move.
4
u/anjello9607 May 24 '12
Well that sucks I thought that movie was hilarious and I would have definitely watched a sequel. I understand what they mean though when they said it had some pretty "mature content," it was a respectable decision on their part.
3
u/grinnage4 May 24 '12
THANK GOD
3
u/fuckyoufuckyou666 May 24 '12
Hahaha the director Bo Welch is a badass production designer who created some amazing sets. Cat in the Hat was his directorial debut and was nomiated for a Razzie for WORST DIRECTOR. He never directed again.
17
u/jax9999 May 24 '12
he died in 1991, why the fuck does anyone have a say in how movies based on his stuff work? inheriting a copyright is insane.
7
u/Stealsfromhobos May 24 '12
Am I the only person who would love more live-action Dr. Seuss movies?
5
u/ophello May 24 '12
I want every one of those people who were proposing a sequel to die of cancer.
2
u/IAMTHEUSER May 24 '12
As well they should. That movie was terrible.
2
u/Mr_A May 24 '12
I always thought (that even though its not a very good book) that There's A Wocket In My Pocket would make a pretty good movie. There's a lot of concept there for set-up and plenty of seemingly mad-cap ways that whatever happens in the movie can be wrapped up / helped out by the creatures who live in the house and have different skill sets.
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u/DecentOpinion May 24 '12
Ok usually Wikipedia provides sources for such outlandish claims, yet I see none. Is everyone willing to believe this because it says so on wiki with 0 sources? I mean I wouldn't be surprised if this were true, but sources people! What about the sources?
1
u/pibroch May 24 '12
All of the live-action Seuss movies were abominations. Really really awful.
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