The first image from the remake of Clash of the Titans is making the rounds today, featuring Sam Worthington in the lead role as Perseus. In keeping with the contemporary sword-and-sandals trend best personified by Gladiator and 300, grit, grime and bulk appear to be the stylistic standard, which of course raises the question: Do you miss Harry Hamlin's 1981 original yet?
Of course, no one has seen a frame of anything Louis Leterrier has filmed yet, and perhaps Worthington's mortal son of Zeus will have his comeuppance with a few soft-focus, toga-ed shots of his own. And his battered shield does confer a little more authenticity to an actual clash with actual titans. But is it just my childhood that feels slightly compromised this morning? For example, try this on for size: How might a square-jawed, armor-clad hero's triumph over a CGI Medusa outdo the Hamlin-Harryhausen tandem from the '80s?? Really -- I'm asking. The camp's the thing!
That said, if this were Jason Statham on the business end of a sword, then we'd probably all be going ecstatically nuts right now, so fair is fair. Thoughts?
ยท First Look: Sam Worthington in Clash of the Titans [/film]