Slapshot, released in 1977 and starring Paul Newman, is one of the best, if not the best, sports films ever made.  And now, it’s being re-made.  Okay, Vince, let’s settle down here.  Let’s figure out who’s involved before we do anything rash…

Peter Steinfeld (“21″) is penning the script, with Dean Parisot on to direct.  When Steinfeld took the writing job and spoke about it last summer, Internet pundits were critical of the notion of updating a favorite sports film. Yet such nostalgic resistance certainly did not hurt The Longest Yard, remake, a global hit that grossed far more than the original.  Parisot last helmed a remake of another comedy “Fun With Dick and Jane.” [Variety]

21 was one of the most insanely mediocre piles of cinematic oatmeal I’ve ever seen. Fun with Dick and Jane was impressive only its unfunnyness.  Really, a movie as unfunny as Fun with Dick and Jane is an achievement.  Then again, maybe you’re right, Variety writer guy.  I mean, hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear someone say, “Hey, you know what was a great flick? That remake of The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler.” or “That Longest Yard remake is my favorite movie ever,” or “Call me crazy, but for my money, compared to that remake of The Longest Yard, Citizen Kane looks like child porn.”

Paul Newman died of cancer at age 83 this weekend.  At my age, it’d be fairly sacrilegious to attempt a rundown of his best movie roles.  But from Butch Cassidy to Cool Hand Luke to Road to Perdition, there were some great ones.

Paul Newman is a guy whose death brings Israelis and Iranians together because, simply put, he was a badass.  If you don’t think Paul Newman was anything special, just try to imagine Adrian Grenier driving a racecar, Mark Wahlberg’s face on a box of crackers, Zac Efron playing a guy named “Butch”, or Sean Penn talking about organic food without sounding like a total dickweed.  Paul Newman defined cool back when being cool meant someone you’d want to have drink with rather than someone you want to kick in the nuts.

Long story short, rest in peace, Reg Dunlop, getting old is f-cking lame.  Though you’re with us no longer, your spirit lives on through your iconic films and tasty salad dressing.

UPDATE: No update, he didn’t come back to life. I just thought this deserved to stay on the front page for a full day.