Cowell’s “Saturday Night Fever” Remake to Star Zac Efron?

I really can’t tell you how much I’m beginning to hate the word “remake.”  I don’t know why some of the more classic films need to be redone at all but I will leave my venting for another day and just relay this little bit of gossip.

Apparently, Simon Cowell is in negotiations to breathe new life into the iconic film Saturday Night Fever and some of the chatter surrounding the cast and production crew has surprised me.  The original film starred John Travolta as 19-year-old Tony Manero, “an Italian-American who led a mundane existence working in a small hardware store by day but ruled the dance floor at the 2001 Odyssey, a Brooklyn dance club, at night.”

I could think of a few people who I’d choose for the role (maybe even Adrian Grenier of Entourage even though I know he’s a little older) but I don’t think Zac Efron would have ever crossed my mind.  I can see how Simon might assume that his looks would lure the teen crowd but would he make himself look like a fool in the process?  Quite possibly. 

Anyway, Timbaland, is also in talks to put a new spin on the famous soundtrack and, again, I’m not terribly thrilled about that possibility. 

Do you think Efron could be right for the role?  Should this movie even be remade at all?

image: Amazon