by: S. Scott Stanikmas

Flatliners isn’t really an unsung classic. Which is why the remake has been flying under the radar with nary a peep being said against it. The original film starred Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Kiefer Sutherland and William Baldwin as med students who traverse into the afterlife by flatlining and having their associates resuscitate them.

The new version, which comes from a script by Ben Ripley, has been kicking around for a few years now with nothing really happening with it until recently.

Variety is reporting that not only does the film have a director but it may have its first star.

Looking through the lens will be Niels Arden Oplev. The director’s biggest claim to fame so far has been the original Swedish film version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Currently in negotiations to work in front of the camera is Ellen Page. The actress would take up the Julia Roberts role if she were to sign on. Page has a diverse resume and this would be another unique role for her.

I don’t know if now is the right time for this remake to come out. While not a direct interpretation of Flatliners, this year already saw the release of the underwhelming Lazarus Effect which could be looked at as the Flatliners’ bastard cousin. I’m just afraid that people would see a similar trailer and equate one with the other and automatically dismiss it. Realistically, there will probably be enough room to breathe between the two, as Flatliners isn’t dropping anytime too soon.

Other than that, with the advances in digital effects and the like, this could be an interesting film. I’ll wait until I see how the rest of the cast rounds out until I give my final judgement on how the project looks.