The paradoxical quote, which closes the classic "Casablanca" now takes on new meaning. The 1942 film may be beginning again -- there is a potential sequel in the works.
Warner Bros. was approached with a treatment, written over 30 years ago by Howard Koch -- an original writer of the film -- for a follow-up to the Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman-led "Casablanca," according to the New York Post.
The story goes that there were many attempts at doing a revamp of one of the most beloved movies of all time, including a couple attempts at a television show.
However, in 1988, after the death of both Bogie and Bergman, Koch had written a screenplay for "Return to Casablanca." Here, upon returning to America, Ilsa (Bergman) learns that she's pregnant with Rick's (Bogart) child. “He was conceived the night Ilsa came to Rick's place to plead for the Letters of Transit . . . The secret was not kept from Laszlo, but being the kind of man he was and owing so much to Rick, he adopted the child and treated him as his own son," Koch wrote.
The boy, named Richard (of course), grew up handsome (of course) and wanted to find out more about his father and returns to Casablanca. He is then thrust into a world of political unrest and meets a young Arab activist, who becomes Richard's love interest.
When Warner Bros. was initially pitched the project, the studio turned it down in 1989. Now, one of Koch's screenwriting students, and a descendant of a founding Warner brother, Cass Warner, is knocking down the studio's door once again.
Cass explained that while the studio passed on the project a year and a half ago but that WB would be interested if she could find a director they'd be interested in working with.
The real problem, she said, is trying to find an actor who can play young Richard.
“Certainly not Robert Pattinson," Cass said. "Though maybe that guy who's popping up everywhere, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.”
JGL, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
[via NY Post]
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