John Carpenter Says CHRISTINE Was Just a Job To Him and That Bryan Fuller's Remake Will Be Better Than His Version

Stephen King’s classic novel Christine is getting a new film adaptation with Bryan Fuller (Star Trek: Discovery, American Gods, Hannibal, Heroes) writing and directing. The original 1983 film was directed by John Carpenter and the film is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

During an interview with Total Film, Carpenter addressed the anniversary, saying: "I know there’s some rumblings about its anniversary. My question is ‘why’?” This was one of those film projects that Carpenter continues to make clear was just a job. He said:

"I needed a job, frankly. The Thing was my very first studio film. I was just diving in the pool here, and all of a sudden, WHAM. And getting fired off a movie is not the most pleasant thing."

Carpenter is referring to being removed from Universal's adaptation of Firestarter after he directed The Thing. When Carpenter is told about Fuller making his own adaption of Christine, he wishes him luck and says it will probably be better than his movie: "Oh boy. Well, good luck to him. It will probably be better.”

Keith Gordon, the actor who played Arnie, the owner of the vindictive 1958 Plymouth Fury in Caprpenter’s Christine, shared his thoughts in the remake, saying:

"I think he’s really talented, and a good person to do it. I mean, I don’t have a negative feeling about people remaking something, especially 40 years later. Christine could be told in a different way and not be an insult to the original. There’s a very short list of untouchable classics that should never be remade – films where their groundbreaking-ness or idiosyncrasy is what makes them special. I wouldn’t want to see anybody’s remake of Citizen Kane, or 2001, or Raging Bull."

Christine will be returning to theaters for its 40th anniversary on October 20th.