John Carpenter on Big Trouble in Little China remake: 'no one's talked to me about it'

Despite star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson saying the production was seeking the involvement of the director of the 1986 original

Not every cinematic return can enlist its original visionary quite like Mad Max: Fury Road did, but you'd think they would at least ask.

That doesn't appear to be the case when it comes to the planned remake of the cult '80s classic Big Trouble in Little China, which currently has Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson pitched as its new lead; with X-Men: First Class screenwriters Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz penning a new script.

A recent interview with the film's original director John Carpenter has revealed he's yet to be contacted by anyone on the new production; telling Screen Rant, "It might be crazy... it might be great! I don’t know. Nobody’s told me anything. No one tells me anything."

That's despite Johnson himself previously stating that they were seeking Carpenter's involvement with the project; to which Carpenter responded, "No one’s talked to me about it. Haven’t heard a thing!"

Carpenter's original 1986 film starred Kurt Russell as Jack Burton, a truck driver dragged into an ancient mystical battle in San Francisco's Chinatown. Thought it proved a commercial flop and was universally panned by critics, the film's since amassed a devoted fanbase; becoming something of a culmination of all the glories of '80s cinematic excess.

Indeed, it's very strange not to see Carpenter's involvement with the return of such a highly beloved piece of property, especially one with such a distinctive visual style; roping in original talent, even if it's just to gain their blessing, has always been a sure-fire tactic for easing fans' nerves around a remake.

No release date has been set for the Big Trouble in Little China remake.