A "Scanners" Reboot Has Been On Hold For Decades

Scanners is long overdue for a remake, reboot, or legacy sequel. David Cronenberg’s 1981 sci-fi flick is a cult classic, with one memorable scene in particular that became a pop culture touchpoint, but in today’s media landscape, it deserves to be a major franchise. Other than a few forgettable sequels in the 1990s, Scanners’ potential has been wasted for decades.

There have been attempts to revisit Scanners over the past twenty years, including a remake that failed to garner Cronenberg’s approval, and more recently, several TV pitches that went nowhere.

Like most of Cronenberg’s cinematic ouvre, Scanners was way ahead of its time. Today, audiences are more ready for it than ever, making now the perfect time for a comeback.

“Scanners” Was Groundbreaking In 1981; 40+ Years Later, It Can Still Live Up To Its Franchise Potential

Scanners Was A Sci-Fi Origin Story Ahead Of Its Time

Scanners is best known for the scene in which Michael Ironside’s character, Darryl Revok, uses his psychic “scanner” powers to make a man’s head explode, in a groundbreaking display of practical gore effects for the early 1980s. Before the internet, memes spread through language; saying your “head exploded like in Scanners” absolutely became a meme after the movie’s release.

For many years, it was the go-to reference for a head explosion. Scanners walked so The Boys could run. Yet the movie is so much more than that one scene. Scanners was a low-budget production even for its time, yet it has all the epic and propulsive qualities associated with modern day superhero movies.

For perspective, protagonist Cameron Vale goes through the same process of discovering and embracing his powers that Neo would almost twenty years later in The Matrix. The end of the movie is only the beginning for Vale as a character. It’s an origin story. And it’s an ideal candidate for a remake/reboot.

The Original “Scanners” Ending Set Up A Perfect Sequel Idea, But It Has Been Left Hanging For Decades

Recasting Cameron Vale For A Legacy Sequel Is Easy

In many fans’ minds, Scanners probably qualifies as an untouchable classic. David Cronenberg himself rejected the idea of a reboot nearly twenty years ago. Times have changed, though, and a movie or TV version of Scanners could actually elevate Cronenberg’s vision. That said, there’s also potential in a long overdue direct sequel.

There was, in fact, an attempt to franchise Scanners in the 1990s. A Scanners II and III were made, along with two Scanner Cop movies, and released direct-to-video. It’s safe to say none of these lived up to the potential of the original. Despite weak attempts to tie back to the first film, a coherent lore never developed across the installments.

A modern Scanners film or TV series could follow up on the original. And it wouldn’t need he original cast to do it. Fans of the movie will recall the twist in the closing moments and can figure out for themselves how Cameron Vale could return, even if original Scanners stard Stephen Lack, or Michael Ironside, aren’t back after 40+ years.