The Province

It’s déjà vu all over again

Hollywood recycling big hits of the past

- BOB THOMPSON bthompson@postmedia.com

Apparently, nostalgia IS what it used to be. That’s why remakes, rewinds and reinventio­ns are trending at the multiplex.

The recycle film fad is nothing new, but the volume is.

Here are some of the remakes you may or may not care about over the next two years:

Baywatch (now in theatres)

Then: The giggle and jiggle TV show featured David Hasselhoff and sand bunny Pamela Anderson playing California beach lifeguards saving swimmers and solving crimes.

Now: Often shirtless Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron attempt to decipher a puzzle of drugs and dead bodies in what amounts to a raunchy parody.

The Mummy (June 9)

Then: The first in a series of many monster movies kicked off in 1932 with Boris Karloff as the original wrapper.

Now: Tom Cruise gets to exercise his running and jumping talents as the dude who confronts a mighty mean ancient spirit.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7)

Then: Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield took turns doing their best high school webslinger impersonat­ions.

Now: Tom Holland is the latest Spidey.

Flatliners (Sept. 29)

Then: Brat Pack medical students personally investigat­e near-death experience­s but the consequenc­es get freaky.

Now: Diego Luna and Ellen Page are just a few of the wannabe doctors who almost take it to the deadzone limit.

Murder on the Orient Express (Nov. 10)

Then: A 1974 film defining Agatha Christie’s murder-mystery features Albert Finney as Detective Poirot.

Now: Director Kenneth Branagh takes on the Poirot part opposite an all-star ensemble that includes Judi Dench, so there is hope.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Dec. 22)

Then: Robin Williams had fun in the fantasy adventure about a board game that comes to life with perilous results.

Now: Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart team up for the comedy-action flick. But this time a video game provides the backdrop. Welcome to the 21st century.

The Six Billion Dollar Man (Dec. 22)

Then: The Six Million Dollar Man’s Steve Austin (Lee Majors) was the 1970s bionic crime-fighting TV superhero.

Now: Filmmaker Peter Berg and headliner Mark Wahlberg update the cyborg story for the new millennial crowd who wouldn’t blink at the $6 billion price tag.

Tomb Raider (March 16, 2018)

Then: Angelina Jolie brought to cinematic life the video game adventures of Lara Croft.

Now: Alicia Vikander will attempt the same.

Scarface (Aug. 10, 2018)

Then: Scenery-chewing Al Pacino was the Cuban immigrant who ran the Miami cocaine criminal world.

Now: Say hello to the Coen Brothers, who apply their peculiar spin to the crime yarn with Diego Luna playing the title character.

A Star Is Born (Sept. 28, 2018)

Then: A cautionary tale of fame and misfortune misfired first with James Mason and Judy Garland and then with Kris Kristoffer­son and Barbra Streisand. Both couples revealed everything but chemistry.

Now: Director Bradley Cooper directs himself for the first time opposite Lady Gaga, who makes her major movie debut.

Mulan (Nov. 2, 2018)

Then: In the Disney animation, based on a Chinese legend, Mulan secretly replaces her father as a conscript to fight in a war against the Huns.

Now: New Zealand director Niki Caro might be braver than Mulan to take on the live-action version.

Mary Poppins Returns (Dec. 25, 2018)

Then: Familiar to multiple generation­s, the musical showcases Julie Andrews as the mystical, magical nanny trying to get things right for a rich but dysfunctio­nal London family.

Now: Boldly, Emily Blunt takes on the role of the iconic caregiver when the grown up kids have kids and need help.

 ?? — SONY PICTURES ?? Tom Holland is the new high school webslinger in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
— SONY PICTURES Tom Holland is the new high school webslinger in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
 ?? — PARAMOUNT PICTURES ?? Kelly Rohrbach is C.J. Parker in Baywatch.
— PARAMOUNT PICTURES Kelly Rohrbach is C.J. Parker in Baywatch.

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