Daveigh Chase just needs a hand to hold

ScreenDaily is reporting that Velvet Octopuss is set to begin production on S. Darko a sequel to the cult-hit Donnie Darko without the cooperation of the original film's writer/director Richard Kelly.

To start off with, Donnie Darko was stupid. It was trying to be this big message movie with tons of metaphors and the "this" and the "that" and it just didn't work. Oh boy, a guy in a bunny suit. Gimme a break. The mere thought of a sequel is stupid. Why make a sequel to a film that only found its legs on DVD when it's director's cut release could only manage $753,147? I don't know who is running Velvet Octopuss, but they must run into a lot of walls.

I know a lot of people claim to like the first film, but how many times do you guys really watch that mess? Richard Kelly went on from Donnie Darko to write Domino and then write and direct Southland Tales, two movies that were, for the most part, despised. While I was intrigued by Southland Tales and mildly entertained once (and never again) by Domino, Kelly's work really isn't anything special and it all started with Darko. At least in terms of his "popularity".

Briana Evigan is sexy in rain

As for this sequel, only one original cast member is back and that's Daveigh "The Ring Girl" Chase who will once again play Samantha Darko, the obvious protagonist of this unnecessary feature. Joining her are Ed Westwick (Son Of Rambow, "Gossip Girl"), Briana Evigan (Step Up 2 the Streets) and Justin Chatwin (War of the Worlds).

The story picks up seven years after the first film (and Donnie's death) when little sister Samantha Darko and her best friend Corey are now 18 and on a roadtrip to Los Angeles when they are plagued by bizarre visions. The project starts shooting May 18 with Chris Fisher directing.

Simon Crowe of Velvet Octopus is quoted saying, "I think there is a new generation of cinema-goers who will be very excited to see this film."

Well Simon, you better hope the trailers look good because based on name and plot you are battling a severe uphill battle.

Where this film truly goes wrong is when it calls itself a sequel to Donnie Darko. What would have actually shown talent would have been an homage to Darko where the film would actually not reference its inspiration in any way and would instead use the themes and relevant events of the first film to construct this new film. This would show the writers had talent outside of just ripping off one idea and most likely grasping the attention of no one with it.

I know so often we speak of the lack of originality in Hollywood, but Hollywood has become a global toilet, as shit is now coming from every corner of the globe and this is just the latest installment to smear itself on the crap-tacular canvas. Luckily a few films still manage to survive the flush.