Anita Ekberg is no longer with us, but Rome (barely, in some cases) still stands, making this as good a time as any to remake La Dolce Vita. Deadline reports that Rome-based production company AMBI Group has just signed a deal with the estate of La Dolce Vita director Federico Fellini to produce a “homage” to the 1960 cinema classic, hopefully one that won’t involve any snapping of selfies in front of the Trevi Fountain. (Actually climbing into the fountain will be more difficult this time around, as it’s currently under renovation and surrounded by scaffolding.)
Francesca Fellini, Federico Fellini’s niece and last living blood relative, apparently approved the project after turning down “countless” proposals for remakes, sequels, prequels, and re-imaginings of the film. ”Considering [the producers’] Italian heritage and deep appreciation and understanding of my uncle’s works, there couldn’t be a better alignment for this project,” Fellini says. Not much else is known in the way of plot details at this point, except that the story will place roguish photographer Marcello Rubini and his many would-be lovers in a contemporary setting. A release date has also not been set, but in the meantime there’s always The Great Beauty.