Further evidence, were it needed, that Hollywood is increasingly incapable, or unwilling, to invest in original material comes with the announcement that Warner Bros is to remake 1981 adventure Clash of the Titans.

According to Variety, Steve Norrington will take the helm in his first directorial role since League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2003. Rather more promisingly, Lawrence Kasdan has reworked a Travis Beacham screenplay for the movie. Kasdan, Star Wars fans will recall, performed a similar service on The Empire Strikes Back, with favourable results.

Production on Clash of the Titans will begin next year. The film joins a growing list of confirmed Tinsel Town rehashes, including Barbarella, Enter the Dragon and, chillingly, The Long Good Friday. ®

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