Michael Bay To Direct Hollywood Reboot Of Mike Leigh's 'Another Year'
THE US remake of Mike Leigh’s Another Year will feature Jim Broadbent with a pair of massive robot arms, the producers have confirmed.
Broadbent has been wearing one of the arms for the last month
Another Year: The Last Battle is described as a sensitive, acutely-observed portrait of a steadfast married couple in late middle age, who also happen to be cyborgs hell-bent on the destruction of Cricklewood.
Transformers director Michael Bay has signed on for the ‘reboot’ which will see Broadbent reprise the role of geologist Tom, while his wife – the kindly, matriarchal counsellor Gerri – will be played by Megan Fox.
Leigh has criticised Bay for not casting original actress Ruth Sheen, but Bay said it would have been impossible unless she was willing to be fitted with bigger tits and a new head.
Bay added: “We’re staying true to the original, with the relationships and the tea-drinking and the staring. But they’ll also have massive robot arms and a lot of things will explode for no reason.
“At it’s heart this is a drama about needy, unhappy people desperately trying to make sense of their lives. Which is why I have asked Aerosmith to do the soundtrack.”
“I’ve also just finished story-boarding a scene where Imelda Staunton fights a metal-fisted Timothy Spall on the rotors of an out-of-control helicopter that’s carrying a nuclear bomb and a tiny child. So hardcore Mike Leigh fans will not disappointed.”
The reboot will also follow the same improvisational, script-free process favoured by the veteran English director.
Bay added: “I get the actors in a workshop environment with some bazookas and maybe a Gatling gun, and just see how they respond.
“It’s vital that we keep them in the moment so I’ve thrown in a few surprises, including a martial arts expert with huge, wolverine claws.
“Broadbent totally fucked him up. It’s going to be amazing.”
