by: S. Scott Stanikmas

In a head scratcher of a move, a remake of the 2000 noir thriller Memento is in the works from AMBI Pictures.

The studio announced the project today in a press release. AMBI acquired the rights to Memento (and Donnie Darko, End Of Watch, Ides Of March amongst many others) when they bought the Exclusive Media Group film library.

The original film was acclaimed director Christopher Nolan’s sophomore effort at helming a movie and came from a short story written by his brother Jonathan Nolan. Memento told the story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), an anterograde amnesiac on the hunt for his wife’s killer. Because he can’t make new memories he relies on tattoos, polaroids and notes he leaves himself to continue the hunt. Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano also starred.

Memento is a great film that felt so original when it first came out. With its dual timelines (one going in chronological order and the other being told in reverse order), incredible twists and tight storytelling it remains a favorite amongst cinephiles to this day. I myself usually like to view the film once a year.

A remake seems like a cheap cash-grab, but Hollywood is known for stunts like this. AMBI’s Monika Bacardi said the following in an official statement:

Memento is a masterpiece that leaves audiences guessing not just throughout the film, but long after as well, which is a testament to its daring approach. We intend to stay true to Christopher Nolan’s vision and deliver a memorable movie that is every bit as edgy, iconic and award-worthy as the original. It’s a big responsibility to deliver something that lives up to the mastery of the original, but we are extremely excited and motivated to bring this puzzle back to life and back into the minds of moviegoers.

I don’t know if you can re-create the feel of Memento. Sure it’s been long enough that a new generation would love to see something like this in theaters, but I still think it’s a tough sell for the crowd that loves the original film.

With the expansive library at AMBI’s fingertips I expect to hear about a lot more remakes and the like in the near future. They didn’t just buy that film library to do nothing after all.

Call me when we get Donnie Darko: The Animated Series…