There’s a Clueless remake on the way because we’ve run out of imagination

Clueless is being dug up from the 90s crypt. According to Variety, Paramount Pictures has enlisted the help of Tracy Oliver, writer of Girls Trip to produce, and Marquita Robinson, a writer from Netflix’s comedy series GLOW to reboot the 1995 comedy.

Based loosely on Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, the original film is widely regarded as one of the most iconic coming of age films of all time. With Mona May, the costume designer, calling on the help of Alaïa, Dolce & Gabanna and reams of plaid, the character’s wardrobes became a fast fancy dress favourite. Iggy Azealia channeled this style in the video for her 2014 track “Fancy” with Charli XCX.

The legendary original cast would be hard to match too. From cute scenes with a young Paul Rudd (who is kind of her brother), comedy from Donald Faison before he became Turk from Scrubs; Stacey Dash pre-Kanye’s “All Falls Down” – and way before she became an alt-right troll. Brittany Murphy gave one of her best performances as Tai, and Alicia Silverstone served look after look. To put it bluntly, there are some massive shoes to fill.

The film was markedly brilliant because it was so of its time – everything from the pop culture references to the party culture and school social hierarchy, and even the dialogue, which was masterfully recreated by the writer and director who studied contemporary teen talk and behaviour of the era. A reboot would have to take that into account – mimicking the iconic original closely or cutting and pasting it into a try-hard modern take.

With Sabrina, Daria, Buffy, Charmed on the way one has to wonder if maybe we’re stuck in a loop. If we want to make films and shows that speak to teens of 2018, don’t we need another innovative movie that reflects their world rather than mimicks the generations before? Let’s hope studios take more creative risks in 2019.

All moaning aside, we’re probably all going to watch it when it comes out – but the reactions so far have been bemused and amusing to say the least. Take a look below.