Fantasy Island (2019) - Michael Pena, Maggie Q, Jimmy O. Yang, Lucy Hale, Michael Rooker

[AlbertV]

Yes, another classic TV series is getting a big-screen adaptation. This time, it is Fantasy Island.

Ant-Man and CHiPs co-star Michael Pena has been cast as Mr. Roarke, the role originated by the legend Ricardo Montalban (and Malcolm McDowell in a short-lived TV reboot). Never Back Down director Jeff Wadlow is directing the film. Pena is currently filming Dora the Explorer as the titular character's dad.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-pena-play-mr-roarke-fantasy-island-film-1150248

Jimmy O. Yang has also signed on to the film as Brax, a guest who travels to the island with his older adoptive brother with the wish of "having it all." What the mild-mannered Brax doesn't realize is that when you have it all, there is someone who wants what you have. 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jimmy-o-yang-joins-fantasy-island-1150170

It is becoming clear that Dave Bautista could be following Dwayne Johnson as former pro wrestler turned busy actor as he is in talks to join the film as well. He would play sort of a nemesis, a former guest who is still on the island against his will and who wants to expose Roarke and the island’s magical secrets. Bautista recently wrapped production on Stuber and will be next seen at WWE's 1000th episode of Smackdown Live, reuniting with his old stable Evolution. He's also expressing interesting in reuniting with James Gunn with Suicide Squad 2 as Gunn has been hired to write the film and potentially direct it as well.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dave-bautista-talks-join-fantasy-island-movie-1150645

 

[AlbertV]

So the film was reinvented as a thriller, where people's fantasies soon become nightmares. I watched it last night and for what it was, it's actually not bad once the twists and turns start coming in. There is a bit of that supernatural element and while Dave Bautista was up for a role in the film, he is replaced by his Guardians of the Galaxy co-star Michael Rooker, who plays a former guest who actually is not a villain, but warns some of the guests about the island's dangers. Better to watch the Unrated Cut as opposed to the PG-13 cut.

[SMK]

@AlbertV I also just watched this the other day, and while the original TV series had more "Twilight Zone" vibes, this move did not. I really didn't like Michael Pena as Mr. Roarke. The thriller direction they went with this was ok, but nothing actually thrilling about it. I'd give it a 3/5.