MovieChat Forums > Billy Jack (1971) Discussion > Billy Jack 1971 and Billy Jack 2004

Billy Jack 1971 and Billy Jack 2004

posted 22 years ago by mrcleangarrett
75 replies | jump to latest

I just got thru watching all 4 of the Billy Jack films, I know a lot of critics are down on the films for the contradicting peace by means of violence, but characters relate to each other in the films in an ad lib fashion, such as real life, what would be called bad acting is more or less the way the characters relate to each other, the films have a script, but as Tom Laughlin points out with his wife Delores on the commentary tracks, the script is more like a guideline, the rest he states comes from inside spontaneous and raw......Now there is a rumor on the net about a possible remake with Keanu Reeves in the title role, just like there is a remake for Walking Tall in the process with the ROCK considered for the title role.....any comments would be welcomed.....and just 3 more days till DIOE ANOTHER DAY and SERGIO LEONE'S ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST....THANKS

[–] cpzabalaga 20 years ago

I hope that they will do a remake of that film. Keanu Reeves? dont know about that. maybe, but whoever he is must be able to kick well, and have good flexibility and fluid movement, not awkward. Tom practiced Hapkido, as I recall, which is very similar to Aikido in some ways. just that one scene to me makes it worthwhile, where he is surrounded by a bunch of rednecks and takes them all on, that to me would make the movie worth it.

[–] patriot8579 20 years ago

Why do they always want to remake classic movies with big-name actors these days?
The whole charm of a lot the old 70s flicks came from the fact that they often used unknowns in the main roles....Tom Laughlin for "Billy Jack", Bo Svensen for "Walking Tall". It gave them a kind of legitimacy, because we hadn't seen the actors in a lot of other stuff. Hell, even Christopher Reeve was virtually unknown when he starred in the first "Superman" movie. George Lucas used mostly unknowns for "American Graffitti" and "Star Wars"....who'd ever heard of Jamie Lee Curtis before John Carpenter put her in "Halloween"?
See what I mean? Nowadays, when they want to remake a classic 70s movie, especially an old cheapie, they go for the big bucks and big names and screw it all up. Stick to what worked then; it just might work now, too.

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[–] Mikentosh 20 years ago

Joe Don Baker was the star of Walking Tall (1973). Bo Svensen was in a remake in 1981.

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[–] Pipchick 20 years ago

I hope they don't remake this film, it would be a big mistake. Remaking any classic film is wrong.

[–] JackTorrance1990 20 years ago

Jim Caviezel should be Billy Jack.

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[–] friendoffilm 11 years ago

I hope they don't remake this film, it would be a big mistake. Remaking any classic film is wrong.

I agree with you, Pipchick. Nothing beats the original!

[–] slammer_93 19 years ago

"BUZZZZZZZZZZ" !!!!! wrong answer, but hey, thanks for playing!

Walking Tall 1981 was not a REMAKE, it was a TV series. (short lived)

The orginal in '73 was Joe Don Baker and part 2 in '75 was Bo Svensen as was the 3rd movie "final chapter" in '77

As for a remake of Billy Jack, any remake with any actor would be a very BIG mistake..........why must we remake every movie ever made?

"floor it" !

[–] Big_Enos_Burdette 19 years ago

how about a certain mr. william shatner?

discussion over.

[–] Big_Enos_Burdette 19 years ago

also, it really doesn't have to be a native american. i'm sure many of you have heard of plans for the upcoming "the last african-american on earth", in which tom hanks will star.

[–] philip_mostyn 19 years ago

Just a Thought....

What about Jason Scott Lee??

He knows Martial Arts (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story), is 41 (which would put him about the right Age), and is probably a better Actor than Keanu Reeves

I know he's not Native American, but neither is anyone else that is on this Discussion (Keanu Reeves is Lebonese, for example)

I too, would like to see a new Movie (not necessarilly a 'Re-Make'), if it's done well

Tom Berenger, in my opinion, could probably pull it off if he had the right Training, and if the Movie was being made about 15 years ago (he's 56 now)

[–] wark20022002 19 years ago

How about NO REMAKE? The film, while not perfect, stands on its own and is very much a part of the Seventies culture. The idea, while somewhat original then, has become forulaic now; I really don't think a new Billy Jack would be anything different from a hundred other movies out there now. Also, the film's pseudo-liberal viewpoint won't work in the Bush 2000's. Just leave well enough alone.

[–] ironman722000 19 years ago

Russell Crowe might be able to pull it off if his accent dont get in the way. He would have to get a haircut though. Even if they do it right I dont think it would top the original.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] jep831 18 years ago

Point of information -- Keanu Reeves is NOT Lebanese, rather, he is part Asian Pacific (Chinese, Native Hawaiian or a mixture of the two).

Christian Kane, as I have stated before, IS part Native American (like the character Billy Jack himself) and has the best overall background, both professionally and personally, to play this role and play it well.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] pjluckenbill 19 years ago

Here's a fresh thought, what about Lou Diamond Phillips as Billy?
Hmmmm...sounds crazy ...but it just...might...work.

[–] diezman 19 years ago

Hey, here's another fresh thought!

Leave it alone and make something else- get off the "stupid remake" bandwagon.

[–] photoman1 19 years ago

Yeah, leave it alone. You could never recapture the unintended goofiness and the idealistic sweetness of the original.

My favorite memory of the movie was after I saw it when I was 17. I was at a friends house describing/acting out the scene in the ice cream store and when I got to the part "I just go BESERK" I executed a perfect spin kick that DESTROYED my friends table and all the dishes sitting on it. It was okay because we were all wasted at the time and thought it was hilarious...

[–] paudarco4cancer 19 years ago

The other day I met a Cree
Who wants to walk from sea to sea
For unity he'd take a stand
From B.C.'s coast to Newfoundland
Half way across already done
His body baked by torrid sun
But greater woes afflict his soul
He's got a monetary goal
A helpline for some native kids
So that they don't flip their lids
If some money you could fetch
I'm sure he would say meegwetch.

[–] samtweedle 19 years ago

I don't think a Billy Jack remake is ever going to be a good idea. However, perhaps a sequal, kind of like they did with Samuel Jackson's version of "Shaft" with Tom Laughlin and his godson, the second Billy Jack. Call it Billy Jack 2000 or something. Actors? Well he may be a bit old but could you not see this as a good way to restart Lou Diamond Phillips career?

[–] qrz94 19 years ago

Tom Laughlin owns the rights to Billy Jack and I doubt he would ok a remake. He has been trying to get interest in doing a sequel for years.

[–] cshep79406 19 years ago

I agree that a remake would lack the charm and freshness (not to mention bad acting) of the original, but if they MUST remake it, how about Joachim Phoenix, who recently played Johnny Cash to perfection? He has that look, and he has talent.

[–] harrelsonesq 19 years ago

Brad Pitt. He looks a lot like Tom Laughlin. Or maybe Viggo Mortensen, who doesn't, but could carry it off.

[–] dishman062 19 years ago

How about Eric Roberts playing Billy Jack if there is a remake.

[–] chewtoy45 18 years ago

Jim Caviezel or Viggo Mortensen are great suggestions. If forced to choose, I'd go with Caviezel.

[–] Billy_Jack_2 18 years ago

Maybe Chuck Norris, I think he is Native American & he does know Martial Arts!

[–] bustingrape308 18 years ago

I second Eric Bana, he was the first name I thought of.

[–] treadman 18 years ago

Christian Bale. Remember those cool scenes in Equlibrium. He'd whoop azz.

[–] teddiebearbunny 18 years ago

wow i love Tom ...and Billy Jack....i was a baby when it came out but saw it later and loved it. glad to see the board is going strong!

[–] MrPie7 18 years ago

Let's see... Jim J. Bullock as Billy Jack and Sandra Bernhardt as Jean. Andy Dick as Bernard. Nah. They would add too much realism to the film.