There are superheroes, and then there’sThe Toxic Avenger, pegged as the first superhero to be born from toxic waste. While a remake of the 1984 film has been in development for some time, the project has tapped a new director to take the helm, and that wouldConrad Vernonfrom the animated raunch-festSausage Party.
Vernon co-directed the film withGreg Tiernanafter previously helmingMadagascar 3,Monsters vs. Aliens, andShrek 2.Deadlinewas the first to report the news of his involvement onThe Toxic Avenger, which the trade states will be “a more grounded and mainstream telling of the story.”Steve Pink(Hot Tub Time Machine 2) wasattachedas the remake’s helmer in 2010, and a few years laterArnold Schwarzeneggerwassaidto be in talks for a role.
The original film was directed byMichael HerzandLloyd Kaufman, and told of the nerdy, wimpy mop boy Melvin Junko, who falls into vats of toxic waste and is mutated into a deformed superhuman with incredible strength.The Toxic Avengerwas marked by over-the-top gore and nude: in one scene, the hero crushes a drug pusher’s head with gym equipment weights and later has a sex scene because the transformation also apparently made him a ladies’ man.
Mike ArnoldandChris Poolewill rewrite the screenplay penned by Pink andD.C. Mitchell. We’ll have to wait and see how they develop this story, but they have an opportunity here. Similar to howAustin Powersspoofed the spy genre, perhapsThe Toxic Avengerwill offer a new parody franchise amid the over saturation of superhero movies.
In a statement, Storyscape Entertainment’sRichard Sapersteincalled Vernon “the perfect director to bring this iconoclastic franchise back to life,” citing his “subversive comedy” chops, so it at least seems like the remake will be bringing the laughs, however inappropriate.
