Every Cancelled John Carpenter Film We NEVER Got To See
6. Only Angels Have Wings
Even though John Carpenter has helmed several non-horror features, like Big Trouble In Little China and Starman, these stories contain many of the director's staples.
Having said that, Carpenter's proposed remake of Only Angels Have Wings would've really been outside his comfort zone. In Howard Hawks' 1939 romantic drama, a rugged pilot risks his life flying dangerous mail routes in South America alongside a beautiful showgirl. Carpenter's love for Hawks' films is well documented, with Assault on Precinct 13, The Thing, and Big Trouble in Little China all owing something to Hawks' stylings, but the Master of Horror stopped short of a full remake.
Based on interviews, however, it's apparent Carpenter gave this potential remake of Only Angels Have Wings a serious amount of thought. Not only did he say he'd love to redo the black-and-white classic more than any other movie, he'd already fan-cast Kurt Russell, Sam Neill, and Jeff Bridges in key roles.
With that said, the opportunity never came about, and Carpenter has admitted that it's probably for the best he never got his hands on Only Angels Have Wings.