Paul Schrader Won’t Watch Reruns of His Movie American Gigolo – The Hollywood Reporter

Paul Schrader has no qualms when it comes to his feelings about his upcoming TV adaptation. American Gigolo.

Schrader has written and directed the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced crime drama since 1980 featuring Richard Gere as sex worker Julian Kay and Lauren Hutton as a politician’s wife. After Showtime released the first trailer earlier this week for the TV series of the same name starring Jon Bernthal and Gretchen Mol, Schrader took to Facebook on Saturday to make it clear that he is not participate in the movie.

“A few years ago, I got a call from Paramount asking about a remake American Gigolo as a series,” posted Schrader, whose credits include the screenplay for Martin Scorsese’s 1976 film. Taxi driver. “I replied that I thought it was a terrible idea – times have changed, internet porn has redefined male prostitution, viruses, etc. I can’t imagine Julian Kay organizing it again. Hen Party organization. (Scorsese and I have battled similar attempts to remake Taxi driver for years.) I thought that was the end of it. ”

He continued, “Then there was another call saying that Jerry Bruckheimer and Paramount had the rights to do the remake. AG without my consent. I said I would think about how such a program could be structured. No, the caller explained, they didn’t want my involvement. Here are my options: (1) get $50G and opt out (2) get $0 and opt out (3) threaten a costly and futile lawsuit and not participate. I took $50G. ”

Schrader went on to say that he hasn’t seen the trailer but calls himself a fan of Bernthal and says he also wishes the best for Mol, whom he directed in the 1999 film. Forever caring.

“I’m not going to watch the Showtime series,” he concluded. “I don’t think I can be objective about it and, even if I could, it’s still too much.”

A Showtime rep did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Below is the trailer for the series that doesn’t have a release date yet.