Netflix has released their new promo for the reboot of Anne of Green Gables – but not everyone is happy about it.
Simply titled Anne, the original series is based on the original books by L.M. Montgomery published in the early 20th century and the varying TV adaptations that followed, most notably the 1985 mini-series.
Listen: The Binge host Laura Brodnik has a break-down over Anne of Green Gables. Post continues after audio.
Set to drop May 12, the story follows lively young orphan Anne Shirley (played by newcomer Amybeth Mcnulty who beat out 1,800 hopefuls for the part) who mistakenly gets sent to live with an older brother and sister who live at Green Gables farm on Prince Edwards Island.
Image: Netflix
It's a childhood classic for many, so it's perhaps no surprise that the upcoming eight episode series hasn't impressed everyone.
In fact, The Binge host Laura Brodnik has already sworn she won't be watching it, calling it one step too far.
"I feel like I've put up with a lot from the entertainment industry these last few years. I've put up with their reboots and their sequels and their remakes, to the point that when I see something original I can't even believe what I am seeing because it seems like there are no new ideas left but I've kind of held my tongue and haven't said anything - until now," she vented in the latest episode of The Binge.
She's highly emotionally invested, with Anne of Green Gables not only her favourite book series but the 1985 TV adaptation starring Megan Follows and Jonathon Crombie is also her favourite mini-series ever.
Megan Follows and Jonathan Cromby in the 1985 mini-series. Image: CBC
"It's one of the most magical things you could ever watch and the fact that they are just cashing in on it and kind of repackaging it and trying to do it for an extra sweep of money, I find it a personal attack on me and everyone else who grew up with Anne Shirley by their side," she says.
"I'm not going to watch it. I'm taking a stand. I did watch the trailer, I sat through that abomination because that is my job, but I will not watch this because I think at one point we have to draw a line in the sand and say that they can't keep remaking our memories like this.
"If it was done right the first time , then don't remake it again. There's plenty of other material out there. And a lot of people have said 'Oh, her granddaughter is executive producer' and to that I say well her granddaughter obviously wants to make some extra money. That's all I have to say."
Co-host Tiffany Dunk was willing to give it a go due to the stellar production team the series has attracted.
"I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt because I think Netflix is really clever with their original series. They do put really great twists onto classic stories. They've done it before so I don't doubt they can do it again," she said.
"The makers of Breaking Bad are behind it and some would argue that that's a pretty good show so they must know what they are doing. And then Niki Caro (director of Whale Rider) is on board to direct that first episode so I'm having a little faith here, am probably not as emotionally invested as you."
For Laura, it's the casting of the main characters that is the issue.
The only Anne Shirley for Laura Brodnick. Image: CBC
"I just think the genius in the original mini series was that it was just cast so perfectly, so Megan Follows plays Anne and Jonathon Cromby played Gilbert and just everyone else in the supporting cast was just so well done and this doesn't seem to have that," she said.
"Martin Sheen is playing Matthew and he's a fantastic actor but that character is meant to be so shy and reserved that Anne kind of pulls him out and that's the first time you see that character react to other characters. But that actor is just wrong for that part, the casting is terrible."
It's safe to say she's not changing her mind.
"Just watching the trailer seems quite safe, repeating iconic lines- it's very bland. They're trying to make it darker and edgier which is not the point of the story, like read the source material."
Anne drops on Netflix on May 12.
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