oprah winfrey shirley maclaine terms of endearment

There’s nothing endearing about the idea of a “Terms of Endearment” remake, according to John Lithgow, who appeared in the 1983 Oscar-winning drama.

“I’m afraid it’s likely to be a disappointment,” the 71-year-old actor told CNN at a press day for his upcoming NBC show “Trial & Error.”

He should know. Lithgow starred in the original “Footloose,” which also got the reboot treatment and which the actor called “a disappointment,” along with a “Twilight Zone” reboot in which he starred.

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But there’s an upside to the “Terms” remake, said Lithgow: “It’s not like they’re deleting it.”

The famed weepy, which starred Shirley MacLaine and Debra Winger as oft adversarial mother and daughter, and Jack Nicholson as their womanizing neighbor, won five Oscars, including Best Picture.

Lee Daniels was in talks to remake the film with Oprah Winfrey, his star from “The Butler.” The TV icon is set to perform in MacLaine’s Oscar-winning role as the smothering Aurora Greenway, TheWrap learned last month.

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Lithgow, who played Winger’s extramarital love interest in the original film, hedged his bet when he discovered Winfrey is in talks to star: “Oh, well, then I’ll eat my words, I’m sure.”

The remake is in development at Paramount Pictures. According to an individual with knowledge of the project, the studio has secured the rights to the project for Daniels to develop.

The original earned 11 Academy Award nominations.

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Reps for Daniels and Winfrey have not responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.

James L. Brooks walked away with three stautettes for producing, directing, and adapting Larry McMurtry’s novel for the screen.

Nicholson also won Best Supporting actor for playing a retired astronaut who becomes MacLaine’s love interest.

Also Read: 'Beauty and the Beast' Review: Dan Stevens Stands Out in Overstuffed Remake

The film covers 30 years of the relationship between Aurora and her feisty daughter, Emma (Debra Winger, who also snagged an Oscar nod for Best Actress) and their struggle to find the courage and humor to live through life’s hazards.

The remake would reunite the actress with the filmmaker who last worked together on the 2013 hit “The Butler” for The Weinstein Company.

“The Butler” generated Oscar talk — but no nominations — when it opened in August 2013. That fact-based film grossed over $176 million worldwide against a budget of $30 million.

15 Live-Action Disney Movies in the Works After 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil' (Photos)

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of its animated classics for a long time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.
"Mulan"
This is a particularly anticipated title, which is slated to be released on March 27, 2020. Niki Caro is directing, while Liu Yifei is starring as the title character. Donnie Yen and Jason Scott Lee also star.
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"Jungle Cruise"

Okay, okay, "Jungle Cruise" might not count as live-action film based on a previously animated classic, but it is based on a ride at Disneyland, so we're going to include it. Plus, we'll take any chance to talk about Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in the same sentence. It will hit theaters July 24, 2020.
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"Cruella"
Extracted from the famous villainess of 1961’s “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” this origin story of a woman who declares open season on purebred puppies -- Cruella de Vil -- is set to star Emma Stone. The reigning live-action Cruella is Glenn Close, who herself starred in two live-action adaptations. It's due in theaters Dec. 23, 2020
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"The Little Mermaid"
So now we're getting into films that are in some stage of development but haven't necessarily been slated for release. After all, Disney has so many untitled films slated, it's hard to count. But a live-action version of "The Little Mermaid" has been long discussed, as it is arguably one of the most popular and profitable movies in Disney's vault. Rob Marshall is on board direct, with Halle Bailey set to star as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
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"Pinocchio"

"Pinocchio" is also in the works, with Tom Hanks playing Geppetto.
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"James and the Giant Peach"
In one of the more interesting adaptations, this beloved Roald Dahl book became a quirky claymation hit for Disney in 1996 with director Henry Selick. Heavy dramatist director Sam Mendes was attached to take a stab at it, but he has since dropped out.
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"Rose Red"
This one is trippy (no pun over producer Tripp Vinson), but promising creatively. In the German fairy tale, Rose Red is Snow White's sister. Disney and Vinson are collaborating on introducing the world to the sibling of the famous apple-loving princess. Disney released the original "Snow White" in 1937.
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"Tinker Bell"

This movie has also been in the works for quite some time, with Reese Witherspoon attached as the cute little fairy from "Peter Pan."
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"Snow White"
Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
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"Peter Pan"
Neverland will get a practical set if Disney has its way updating the 1953 animated film.
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"The Jungle Book 2"
This is a no-brainer follow-up to Favreau's hit from spring 2016, based on the animated classic released in 1967.
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"Oliver Twist"
While Disney never formally made a direct animated take on Charles Dickens' beloved orphan, they did release the adorable 1988 "Oliver and Company," inspired by Dickens' tale but told with animals. The studio also made a small-screen live-action version in 1997 with Richard Dreyfuss.
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"Lilo & Stitch"

And another film that is supposed to get the live-action treatment and some point. This project was announced in October 2018 with Mike Van Waes attached to pen the script. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing.
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"Hunchback"

In early 2019, a live-action film based on 1996's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was announced. Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang was tapped to pen the script, with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz handling the music.
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"Bambi"

In January 2020, Disney hired Geneva Robertson-Dworet (“Captain Marvel") and Lindsey Beer (“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser,”) to write the script for the live-action remake of the 1942 animated classic.

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The studio is raiding its vault to remake classics including “Mulan”

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of its animated classics for a long time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.

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