Dick Van Dyke and Ed Asner virtually teamed to remake a traditional comedy from the Sixties, however the latter’s passing means the undertaking won’t ever occur. Van Dyke has been a continuing determine in showbusiness because the Nineteen Forties, however rose to prominence in his eponymous sitcom within the early ’60s. Likewise, Ed Asner was a legend on the large and small display for greater than sixty years earlier than his passing in 2021, and they’re each a part of a bygone period of Hollywood historical past. Nearing 100, Dick Van Dyke is a real elder statesman of leisure who nonetheless dazzles at this time.

In a question-and-answer session on the Dick & Arlene Van Dyke Current Vandy Camp occasion in Malibu, California, Van Dyke revealed that he was planning to remake The Odd Couple with Ed Asner earlier than Asner’s passing on the age of 91 in 2021 (by way of Individuals). “That would’ve been such fun, and we lost it. I’ve lost a lot of friends,” mentioned Van Dyke, earlier than taking a extra chipper tone when saying “life’s been good to me. I can’t complain.” No particulars in regards to the remake can be found, and it is unclear how far alongside the Odd Couple remake was earlier than Asner’s passing.

The Odd Couple Has Been Remade As A TV Present Earlier than

it is unlikely that the undertaking will transfer ahead with another person stepping in for Asner.

Beginning on Broadway, The Odd Couple’s 1968 film adaptation is without doubt one of the finest comedies from the ’60s, and was shortly developed right into a TV present with a brand new solid. Van Dyke’s plans to remake the story should not the primary time Hollywood has taken a stab on the traditional movie, and the idea was revived for a TV collection in 2015 that ran for 3 seasons. It is unsure if Van Dyke and Asner’s model of The Odd Couple would have ever seen the sunshine of day, however it’s unlikely that the undertaking will transfer ahead with another person stepping in for Asner.

The 1968 movie starred Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, whereas the ’70s collection starred Jack Klugman and Tony Randall.

Our Take On Dick Van Dyke’s Plans To Remake The Odd Couple

An Attention-grabbing Concept That Would possibly Have Labored A Few Many years In the past

Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple

Nice buddy comedies are humorous in any era, however I am not satisfied that Dick Van Dyke and Ed Asner’s remake of The Odd Couple would have labored. Neither actor had any connection to the unique film or TV present, and Oscar and Felix are usually performed by actors of their center age on the newest. There isn’t any doubt that Asner’s prickly persona and Van Dyke’s optimistic type would have labored properly collectively, however The Odd Couple remake would wish to have made main adjustments to the unique story.

Dick Van Dyke as Dr Sloan in Diagnosis Murder, Bert in Mary Poppins, and Rob in The Dick Van Dyke Show

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Van Dyke nonetheless wows audiences along with his vivacity as he nears 100, however Asner was noticeably slowing down within the closing years of his profession. Largely showing in cameo components in low-budget films, or voice appearing, Asner won’t have been as much as the bodily comedy challenges of bringing The Odd Couple to life. Alas, with the undertaking probably by no means going to occur, it is inconceivable to know what Dick Van Dyke’s plans have been for remaking The Odd Couple.