What Exactly is the ‘Let the Right One In’ Remake Called?

I am now getting a headache thinking about this Matt Reeves-directed remake of ‘Let the Right One In’ and what the movie is going to be called.   We announced back in early March that the title would be shortened, and that the remake would be called ‘Let Me In.’   Then, shortly after that time, news came out that ‘Let Me In’ was another film entirely and that this remake would keep the original film’s full title.

Now, the pendulum has swung back the other way.   Reeves sat down with the LA Times earlier this week, and it was said in the article that the new film would, in fact, be called ‘Let Me In.’   Smoke began coming out of my ears, and 6 pencils were snapped in frustration.

Then, I read a little bit more.   Evidently, when the original 2004 novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist was released in the states, the publishers believed the title to be too long.   In the United States, the novel is called ‘Let Me In.’   It wasn’t until the original film was released that an updated version of the novel with the original title was released in the US.

This gives some clarity as to the direction Reeves is headed with his adaptation of the source material.   He has stated in interviews that he intends to “re-interpret” Lindqvist’s original novel as opposed to remaking the Swedish film.   Calling it ‘Let Me In’ just reiterates this fact.

So, evidently, the film is going to be called ‘Let Me In,’ but it isn’t as much of a sin as earlier believed.   ‘Let the Right One In’ is a better title, in my humble opinion.   It is more of a forewarning to someone about vampires, whereas ‘Let Me In’ sounds more like a command.

As far as more information goes with ‘Let Me In,’ Reeves says in the LA Times articles that he has no intentions of hurting the original film in the eyes of fans.

“I was just hooked.   I was so taken with the story and I had a very personal reaction. It reminded me a lot of my childhood, with the metaphor that the hard times of your pre-adolescent, early adolescent moment, that painful experience is a horror.”

“There’s definitely people who have a real bull’s-eye on the film, and I can understand because of people’s’ love of the [original] film that there’s this cynicism that I’ll come in and trash it, when in fact I have nothing but respect for the film. I’m so drawn to it for personal and not mercenary reasons, my feeling about it is if I didn’t feel a personal connection and feel it could be its own film, I wouldn’t be doing it. I hope people give us a chance.”

Reeves is currently finishing up the second draft on the film, which is now set in Reagan-era Colorado.   The film is scheduled for release in Fall of 2010.

Source: LA Times