I was certainly taken aback by Sean Durkin‘s debut feature Martha Marcy May Marlene back in 2011. Most notably, it put Elizabeth Olsen on the map after delivering a wonderfully complex and honest performance, which is something she unfortunately has not been given the chance to repeat. After I saw that film, I was eager to see what Durkin was going to do next as a director. For a little while, it looked like a Janis Joplin film, starring Nina Arianda, was going to be his next project, but now it seems it will be a big screen adaptation of the hit television series “Little House on the Prairie“.
Based off of Martha Marcy, Durkin seems like an odd choice. I do not pretend to be a “Little House” expert (and, quite frankly, if you are pretending to be a “Little House” expert, you need to figure out your life), but from what I have seen of the show, it is rather wholesome. Almost painfully wholesome. Martha Marcy is about as far from wholesome as you can get. They both take place on a farm. I guess that is the connection?
But, in all seriousness, I would not be interested in a “Little House on the Prairie” film in the slightest, but having Sean Durkin directing your film could elevate the material greatly. Personally, I would rather see his Joplin movie, but this could tie me over until that comes along (if it ever does). Is there anyone out there excited for a “Little House” reboot?
Original report from The Hollywood Reporter
