Some works are better left untouched, but tell that to some of the most powerful people in Hollywood and they tend to disagree. Take Robert De Niro for example, who has recently made statements that he’d be interested in working on a Taxi Driver sequel to his 1976 film.

“I said, why don’t we write something? And I talked to Marty and Paul did take a shot at something, whether it was an outline or a script, I forget. But somehow we didn’t feel it was right and it didn’t take off.”

“But I’d like to see where Travis is today. There was something about the guy – all that rage and alienation, that’s what the city can do to you. I mean Marty and I are from New York, and even we can feel alienated.”

As a storyteller, I can totally understand De Niro’s interest in knowing where his character, Travis Bickle, would wind up in the new century, however, I think restraint is important in this very specific case. Taxi Driver is too embedded into pop culture to attempt a sequel this late.

In addition, I think it would show a huge lack of class on the part of the filmmakers, if not a lack of appreciation for their own achievements, to pursue such a project. While it might be financially rewarding, it’s more likely that people would flock to see it out of curiosity, but then its popularity would fall off  drastically and the film would wind up in the dollar bin or worse, as the secondary movie in some low priced combo pack.

Who wants to make a movie destined for a combo pack?

Source: Bad Ass Digest