Zoe Saldana Will Deliver ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ & Gerard Butler Will Hang Ten In ‘Point Break’

After their live rendition of “The Sound of Music” proved to be a ratings hit last month, NBC hopes their next remake of a classic ‘60s Hollywood film can be just as successful. The network first announced a “Rosemary’s Baby” remake last July, but we hadn’t heard much about it until Agnieszka Holland (“Europa, Europa”) signed on as director a few weeks ago. Now, it seems they have found their Rosemary, and luckily, it’s not Carrie Underwood.

NBC has chosen Zoe Saldana to play the lead role, whose profile has raised considerably these last few years. She’s starred in “Avatar,” the last two “Star Trek” movies, and she’ll be appearing in “Guardians of the Galaxy” this summer. Taking on Rosemary, however, should prove to be a difficult task after Mia Farrow nailed the part over forty-five years ago. Can Saldana do the role justice? We will find out soon enough.

If the thought of a “Rosemary’s Baby” remake gives you a headache, then this next bit of casting news will not make you feel much better. Gerard Butler will play Bodhi in the upcoming remake of “Point Break,” which will be helmed by Ericson Core (“Invincible”). This version of “Point Break” will delve into the world of extreme sports, not just surfing, and Butler’s Bodhi character (previously played by Patrick Swayze) is an expert extreme sports athlete who “seeks nirvana through the conquest of a series of athletic feats such as surfing 100-foot waves.” Again though, other extreme sports should be prominently featured in the film… so we’re told.

You may not think Gerard Butler is worthy of replacing Patrick Swayze, but at least he knows how to ride the waves. Butler previously starred in the 2012 film “Chasing Mavericks” where he played surfing legend Frosty Hesson. So, he’s definitely got the skills. The surfing skills, that is. [Variety/THR]