James Franco to remake Mother, May I Sleep With Danger? for Lifetime

By Danette Chavez  |  December 21, 2015 | 8:18pm
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Even if you’ve reached your saturation point for Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens news, at least that glut of marketing (and critical assessment) briefly stemmed the tide of reboot news. But J.J. Abrams’ film has more important things to do—like break global box-office records—than temporarily direct your attention away from the latest bit of your formative years to undergo a makeover, which means it’s time to learn about another remake. According to Vulture, Renaissance man (and portrayer of The Room mastermind) James Franco is partnering with Sony Pictures to remake the iconic Tori Spelling-led melodrama Mother, May I Sleep With Danger? for Lifetime.

Despite featuring the most Lifetime-movie-sounding plot of all Lifetime movies, the soapy film first aired on NBC in 1996, after failing to find a distributor for its theatrical release. The title is a bit of a misnomer as Spelling’s character never really asks her mother for permission, but instead shows the impetuousness of youth and gets intimate with danger, whose name is actually Kevin (whose name is actually Billy). Several warnings and one hostage situation later, the teenage girl presumably learns to listen to her mother. This tale of teen rebellion has resonated with Franco in some way, who will executive produce and contribute to the film’s story. And to prove she’s truly learned her lesson, Spelling will reportedly play the mother whose approval will be sought by whatever young actress is roped in to play her daughter.

 
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