Film News: ‘Point Break,’ ‘Sparkle’ Coming Back to the Big Screen

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CHICAGO- Classic films that entertained fans during their release and the years that have followed are apparently too good to be left alone in present day Hollywood. “True Grit” “Fame” and the new “Footloose” are all prime examples of films derived from a previous movie, and it looks like you can add “Point Break” and “Sparkle” to that list.

According to The Wrap Alcon Entertainment is planning a remake of the 1991 thriller “Point Break” with some possible variations. The first film followed Keanu Reeves as undercover agent Johnny Utah as he infiltrated a surfing criminal group led by Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). The new film is said to be a similar undercover story, but contained in the world of international extreme sports. The original “Point Break” also starred Gary Busey, was directed by Kathryn Bigelow and produced by James Cameron.

There has been no official word if the “international extreme sports” refers to surfing or if it could be skateboarding or BMX. It could even be inline skating, making the new film something like “Point Break” meets “Brink!”

The remakes don’t stop there as Variety is reporting that the 1976 film “Sparkle” will be coming back to the big screen. Sony Pictures is remaking the music-themed original that was inspired by the story of The Supremes. The original followed three Harlem sisters that become a popular girl group in the 1950s who have to share the joys of success and the troubles of fame.

The new film is set in 1968 Detroit and it will follow the story of an aspiring singer played by “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks. The film will be Sparks’s first feature film. Also starring in the remake will be Whitney Houston, who hasn’t been on the big screen since the 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife,” and Mike Epps.

By TIM MARTENS Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com