The creator of Judge Dredd is kind of optimistic about the new film

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

It has been awhile since we’ve heard anything from the Judge Dredd film simply titled DREDD. There were rumors and talk of behind the scenes struggles, which is never really a good thing.

Well Judge Dredd creator John Wagner recently conducted an interview, where he commented on the 1995 film and why he’s optimistic about this new version.

On how he feels about the original film: “My views haven’t changed, though apart from my initial viewing I haven’t seen the film since it came out. They told the wrong story — it didn’t have that much to do with Dredd the character as we know him. I don’t think Stallone was a bad Dredd, though it would have been better and lent him more cred if he hadn’t revealed his face. He was just Dredd in the wrong story. I envy their budget, though. Some of the CGI was very good, and the re-creations of the Angel Gang and the robot. The robot actually came from a Pat Mills story and didn’t belong in Dredd, but it looked good. If the plot had revolved around characters like them the film would have been more successful.”

Why he is optimistic about this new version, in three points: “The plot is about Dredd and his world. It’s impossible to cover every aspect of the character and his city – perhaps that was one of the failings of the first film; they tried to do too much and ended up with not a lot. “Dredd” homes in on the essential job of judging – instant justice in a violent future city. I like the actors, they’re well cast and they handled their parts well. Olivia Thirlby is perfect as Anderson, the young psi judge. She gives the character a touching vulnerability. Karl Urban will not remove his helmet and will not kiss his costar.”

I do like what he has to say, and it even gives me some optimism. I feel like they have cast the right person with Karl Urban, and from the sounds of things it feels more authentic to the comic’s vision. The film will be released in 3D this September 21st.

The very lovely star of DREDD Olivia Thirlby