V for Vendetta isn’t just another cash-grab remake – it could be the most important

by

I’m officially done with cash grab remakes.

That opinion isn’t very surprising, and many TV viewers have felt the same way recently. It’s become increasingly difficult, especially with science fiction and fantasy shows, to discover a truly original series when so much of what’s available is a continuation or reimagining of existing stories.

The reasons for this are straightforward. The television industry is struggling financially, so those who approve new shows are less willing to risk something unproven and prefer to stick with established and popular franchises. It’s unfortunate, but likely unavoidable.

We’ve seen a lot of remakes lately, but some are actually good. A television series based on “V for Vendetta” has the potential to be one of them.

HBO is reportedly working on a TV series based on ‘V for Vendetta.’ Pete Jackson is writing the show, and James Gunn and Peter Safran will serve as executive producers.

The 2005 film, based on the graphic novel V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, tells the story of Evey, played by Natalie Portman, and her encounter with V, a masked rebel who aims to start a revolution against a controlling and oppressive government.

Over the last two decades, this film has remained surprisingly relevant in both culture and politics. It’s become a symbol of protest, especially through the Guy Fawkes mask, which is famously associated with groups like Anonymous and their fight against traditional power structures.

So, if the movie is still culturally relevant, why do we need a remake?

This is a story we need to remember, particularly now. Around the world, far-right ideologies are gaining traction, and this trend has been happening for a while.

In the UK, harmful attitudes like racism, prejudice against foreigners, discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, and sexism have become sadly common. We constantly see discussions – often divisive – in the media about the rights of immigrants and transgender people, and the views of figures like Nigel Farage and the Reform Party are increasingly prominent.

I’m worried that we’re losing ground on important issues. The Supreme Court recently upheld its 2015 ruling on same-sex marriage, which is good, but the fact that anyone is still challenging it shows we haven’t made as much progress as I’d hoped in the last decade.

Given the current political landscape, media and entertainment need to be direct and impactful. It’s crucial that we see our own world reflected in the stories we tell, especially in science fiction. A good sci-fi film or series should always offer commentary on society, and in that regard, V for Vendetta succeeded by portraying a totalitarian government taking control of Britain.

By revisiting this story, DC and HBO aim to bring it back into the spotlight and make it impossible to ignore.

Plus, crucially, there’s more story to tell.

While the first movie was a good adaptation of the graphic novel, it left out many details. A longer series, likely with at least six episodes, will allow for a much more detailed and complex story.

The V in the original graphic novel is harsher and more clearly a villain than the movie version. A television series could offer enough time to create a more complex and morally gray version of the character.

I’m really excited about the possibility of a series because it would give them so much more time to explore the story. I think we’d get a really detailed look at how Britain gradually falls under this oppressive government – honestly, I have a feeling it’s going to be disturbingly relevant to what’s happening in the world today. But even better, we’d finally see what happens after the movie ends, which is something I’ve been hoping for!

While the original V for Vendetta remains a significant film, a series adaptation could be truly valuable. It wouldn’t just be another remake; it would offer a fresh take and, more importantly, address relevant issues facing our society and today’s political landscape.

And that is something I’d take any day over a Harry Potter remake.

Read More

2025-11-12 19:34