Russell Brand As 'Arthur': First Trailer Released (VIDEOS)

The long-anticipated first trailer for the remake of 'Arthur' with Russell Brand in the titular role has finally been released, and it will no doubt spark a lot of conversation about how the update could possibly compare to the beloved 1981 original.

Much of the film's success will hang on Brand, since the role seemed custom-made for the late, great Dudley Moore. The other major characters in the update benefit from fairly inspired casting, with Helen Mirren taking on the John Gielgud role and Luis Guzmán as the affable chaffeur Bitterman.

It will be interesting to see if Brand can infuse the character with the right blend of deference for the original and his own chaotic spin on it to inspire audiences to appreciate the performance without constantly comparing him to Moore.

Until then, here's a look at the new trailer followed by a trailer for the old one.


WATCH:

What do you think? Are you looking forward to seeing 'Arthur' re-imagined, or was the old one so perfect it should have been left alone?

Comments

[Saidas]

05:45 PM on 03/24/2011

We will have to wait and see won't we? Let's just hope it doesn't turn out to be a Steve Martin/Chief Inspector Clouseau affair. I think half of Dudley's Arthur appeal was that laugh!

[Keith DeBoer]

10:09 AM on 03/23/2011

I love Russell but the casting and script on the first one were impeccable. Judging from the Brand trailer, the new one may fall flat. We'll see............

[74Torino]

02:03 PM on 02/14/2011

The new one looks really good. RB is always funny.

[Glenn1441]

11:38 AM on 02/14/2011

Yes, we really need a remake of this film. Pathetic.

[orkt]

10:40 AM on 02/14/2011

Where is the Liza Minelli character? Wasn't that the whole point of the original movie? Who's on the wrong side of the tracks in this one?

[paulabflat]

10:43 AM on 02/14/2011

someone named greta gerwig.

[orkt]

09:36 AM on 02/15/2011

Thanks - yeah, I found that, too. She is actually pretty good, but I wonder why the studio chose to market a trailer without the relationship at the heart of the story.

[jkliss]

10:23 AM on 02/14/2011

If it had to be done, James Callis would have been much better. They even look quite similar.

[Seablue2u]

07:46 AM on 02/14/2011

Dudley was superb--Brand has a lot to match. Mirren will be on equal footing, I think, as Hobson--perfect choice. Can't wait to see this!

[kdlaiusa]

04:08 AM on 02/14/2011

This remake will flop big time. How can anyone not think about Dudley Moore seeing Russell Brand? I still think RB is pretty gross.

[Kenny Wolf]

07:50 PM on 02/13/2011

I didn't understand it at first view but I checked IMDB, apparently this new Arthur doesn't have a drinking problem, totally taken out of the script, instead his problem is he's "immature". If this is so than you might as well just flush this remake big time. I thought the issue with Arthur's alcoholism was to show what money unchecked can do to a person (insert reality check) and that the alcoholism was acknowledged and addressed in the original movie (may be not to everyone's liking) but it was first and foremost a comedy. The fact that Arthur was an alcoholic (as well as immature) and finding his salvation via true love was one of the key points of the original movie. If it's true and the new Arthur is saddled with a case of, OMG, immaturity, yet alcoholism has no part in the plot whatsoever than this is a Disney fairytale and a disservice to the heart and soul of the original movie. Yes true alcoholism is not a laughing matter but the point of the movie Arthur, it's edge was that Arthur had to deal with REAL life and real life has alcohol in it. If this is true, that it's all about being a big baby then this movie is way too PC for it's own good or me.

[paulabflat]

10:48 AM on 02/15/2011

the defining relationship in the original arthur is not arthur and linda. it's arthur and hobson. linda is merely hobson's replacement arthur hires almost as easily as he does one of his hookers. watches her shoplift a tie and then bails her out. a drunk is attracted to a thief, who admires him right back for his wealth.

the only time arthur does anything adult it is for hobson.

at the end of the film, arthur remains drunk, he wins the one woman who certainly won't challenge him to change and he keeps the bucks just because it feels better that way.

stepping back a little, oh, yeah, someone could really muck that up.

suddenly i have the urge to get a tuna fish sandwich.

[ValdaDeDieu]

06:41 PM on 02/13/2011

Big shoes to fill in the role, but perfect casting...

[Kenny Wolf]

05:50 PM on 02/13/2011

This trailer for the remake of Arthur is a sad reminder of where we are today. A soon to be released reshuffle based on the classic and timeless tale of redemption that was the original Arthur and as sure as it is 2011 it is destined to fail. The people responsible for this remake hope to live in the glories that can only be had in a now that passed some 30 years ago. It's my guess that the producers of this new version of Arthur hope that we will all be subject to a mass case of selective Alzheimer's, hoping against hope that we forget what made the original Arthur so unique, so special. The only hope this copy band new version has is that it will supplant the original in our minds in some sci-fi body/mind snatcher kind of way. I say good luck to these new producers who took a risk not worth taking. On the other hand if this film does well perhaps they can start plans on their new version of the Wizard of OZ.

[Smitty2000]

04:02 PM on 02/13/2011

I'm a fan of the original, but I didn't find the trailer for the new one evena little bit funny.

[jessikins]

02:44 PM on 02/13/2011

Ugh. Jen Garner ruins everything.

[queensboro]

11:11 AM on 02/13/2011

no way. dudley was brilliant in this roll. one of my favorite movies. this other cat can't hold a torch to him. dudley mixed a little seriousness with his humor. helen miren must have loved the other movie, maybe thats why she took the part but the only way i will see the new version is, on cable, late at night with nothing else to watch!

[bettyx1138]

10:50 AM on 02/13/2011

i dont care how bad it is, i'll see it cuz RB is hawt.