I’m happy to buy into the idea that there’s a good reason for this, beyond a fat paycheck, but I’d prefer to see Cronenberg leave his original classic alone and move on to something new.

By the way, has this been a season of off-the-wall production news from directors we admire or what? Fincher doing the Facebook movie, Cronenberg remaking his own film, The Coens remaking Rooster Cogburn, Zhang Yimou remaking Blood Simple, Soderbergh doing an action film…next thing you know Scorsese will be directing a Shrek spin-off starring Donkey.

Since it apparently is gonna happen — how about Michael Shannon as Brundlefly? Mr. Painted-On Eyeballs was born to be a Cronenberg leading, um, man. I think it’s all but inevitable that they’ll work eventually together.

I haven’t seen it for a few years, but the original effects have held up pretty well, haven’t they?

But 1986 Fly screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue does make an amusing appearance in the article’s comments section. He is, and always has been, one prickly pear. Maybe he’ll materialize here because I evoked his name, like Beetlejuice.

Are you sure it’s not an adaptation of the opera? That would justify it.

The only reason I can see to do this otherwise is that the effects of the original are somewhat dated. Which isn’t much of a reason at all — the kids won’t watch “old movies” regardless. The camera isn’t shaky enough to keep them awake.

Maybe he got sick of seeing everyone else making money off his old ideas. (Aren’t there a whole slew of remakes of his films in the works?) Maybe he’s just burned-out and wants to stash some cash before he retires. The Cruise spy movie would point in this direction. Or is that even still on?

Hitchcock did it. Ozu did it.

Do I sound like I’m trying really hard to find that silver lining? In any case, you just know that we’ll all go if he does it.