Howard tackles 'Hidden'

Ron Howard is in talks to direct a remake of Michael Haneke's 'Hidden'.

Jan 20 2007

The four horsemen of the Apocalypse must be fast approaching as the announcement that Ron Howard is to remake 'Hidden' surely signifies the end of the world.

Brian Grazer has obtained the rights to the Michael Haneke's thriller, with Howard looking to helm. Based on his clumsy, dull direction of 'The Da Vinci Code' however, I couldn't think of a worse choice.

Variety claims that this Americanised version of the story of a couple terrorised by mysterious videos sent by some unknown assailant will 'amp up the suspense and consequences'. But I can only see a director like Howard diluting the tension and explaining too much of a story that in Haneke's hands was so perfectly ambiguous that it still has people arguing over the film's meaning two years on.

It could be a while before Howard's 'Hidden' sees the light of day though, as the director also has 'Da Vinci Code' sequel 'Angels and Demons' in the works, plus a screen version of Peter Morgan's brilliant play 'Frost/Nixon'. Let’s hope he plumps for either project and leaves Haneke's film well alone.