Charlie’s latest movie angels return to scenes of the crimes
IT WAS the TV show which in the politically incorrect 1970s defined glamour – bikini-clad actresses fighting crime while behind the strings, a benevolent but controlling male pulled the strings.
In the current climate of “me too” Hollywood politics, the jury was still out on the chances for the latest remake of Charlie’s Angels.
Its stars, Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska turned out for the London premiere last night, promising an updated take on the premise.
The three of them star as the “next generation” of angels to work for the same, mysterious Charles Townsend.
This time, however, there is a female director, writer and producer – Elizabeth Banks – who also stars as the angels’ sidekick, Bosley, and who joined them on the red carpet outside the Curzon, Mayfair.
The new instalment joins the crimefighters after Townsend’s security and investigation agency has expanded internationally and taken on “highly trained women” all over the world, assisted by multiple handlers who are all referred to as Bosley.
The three stars follow in the footsteps of Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, who played Charlie’s Angels in a 2000 film and its sequel Full Throttle,
Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd, Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Shelley Hack and Tanya Roberts, starred at various times in the initial series, which was an instant hit when it premiered in 1976.
However, a TV revival in the
PICTURE: IAN WEST/PA
US in 2011, ran for only eight episodes before the ABC network pulled the plug.
The new film, which also stars Sir Patrick Stewart, Djimon Hounsou, Nat Faxon and Noah Centieno, appears to be faring better.
Released last week in the US, it has already grossed more than £30m, despite mixed reviews from the critics – with one commentator describing it as “pulpy”.
The film will be released to UK cinemas on November 29.