Way back in early 2019, I did a post on the Hunchback movie/Tv versions that had been announced, The Tale of Six Hunchbacks, and for the record I did miss one, so there were actually seven versions until now. A new version has been announced.
Broken Lizard, a comedy Troupe known for Super Troopers is making a satirical version of Hugo’s novel. This upcoming version is called Quasi.
According to deadline ‘The plot follows a hapless hunchback who only yearns for love, but finds himself in the middle of a murderous feud between the Pope and the King of France when each orders the hunchback to kill the other.’
This version is clearly not following the book by seemingly any means but who knows since that is a just the set-up.
Disney will release the film on Star+ in Latin America, and on Disney+ in all other territories. Star+ in Latin America, and on Disney+ in all other international territories. It will be a Hulu original in the States.
I should make it very, very clear that this version is not the first time Hunchback has been made into a satirical or parody movie version. In fact the last movie version to be released was Quasimodo d’el Paris which was a modern parody version in 1999.
It does seem very, very odd that if Quasi next version to be released that there are two back to back spoof Hunchback versions to come out with over 20+ year gap in between.
Just a quick recap of the Hunchback movie/tv versions that have been announced since the formation of this blog, there was the Josh Brolin version, The Max Ryan version, Peter Chernin version, The Peter Dinklage/Charles Dance version, The Tom Hollander version, the Idris Elba version and the Disney live-action version being spearheaded by Josh Gad.
There has been no news other than Gad saying that Disney Live-action was still in the works as of January 2021. Which is fine, better the production don’t rush it.
Of course I would welcome any and all of these versions. No matter how Jazzy or if there was a character called “Figment” in it who was not the Epcot dragon, I think, I don’t actually know for sure.
I will withhold any opinion of this Broken Lizard’s version till a trailer or pictures are out, or at least I will try. But it will be great to get a new movie version.
What do you think? Excited for Quasi or just excited for a new version?
I hope Disney releases a live action considering they have been doing it for some time, also they can use the chance to educate children about the “G” slur and I’m totally ok with keeping Esmeralda as a true romani, it minimizes the steriotype of romani people stealing children (would be nice to see a romani actress, but I won’t ask for much, a girl of indian descent would be enough – Charithra Chandran would be a lovely Esmeralda).
As for parodies I don’t like them very much. I guess I don’t like comedy so it makes sense. I watched 1999 version once, even tough the movie was bad Melanie was gorgeous in it. I loved her red dress, been wanting one like hers ever since, but could never find one.
Sorry for the mistakes, english is not my native language.
A Romani actress for Esmeralda would be perfect but I would also accept an actress of Indian decent too. Charithra Chandran would make a great Esmeralda.
I think at this point Esmeralda’s backstory is better when she is a Romani and not what it is in the novel, as like you said it can do more harm than good. So I’m all for this change.
No worries on English grammar mistakes. English is my native language and I constantly make mistakes. It’s a hard language.
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I am so excited for this film all around. There are so many wonderful adaptations of the book and it would be great to see another especially a parody version. Now if you excuse me I’ll go watch the 1911 version to catch up on my journey of seeing every adaptation.