The Smurfs made a comeback. So did the Muppets. So why not Jem, the flamboyant rocker-with-a-secret-identity cartoon from the 1980s?
In a YouTube video released Thursday, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" director Jon M. Chu announced that he was working on a "modern-day, live-action reinvention of the 1980s Hasbro classic cartoon, 'Jem and the Holograms.'"
"Jem" ran from 1985-1988 and later in reruns, and told the story of Jerrica Benton, who used holographic computer Synergy (and some magical earrings) to turn into pink-haired rocker Jem. While Jem and Jerrica were essentially identical, no one seems to figure out their connection, not even Rio, the romantic interest of both women. Good-hearted Jerrica runs a music company and has 12 foster children, while in her Jem persona she battles with the evil Misfits band.
Chu discussed the film in the video along with producer Jason Blum and music mogul Scooter Braun, who represents singer Justin Bieber, among others. (Bieber was not mentioned as having any involvement with "Jem.")
Fans of all ages were asked to submit images or videos on JemTheMovie.com explaining why they loved the original Jem, and also to submit two-minute videos showing of themselves singing to be considered for work in the movie. "Sort of like Kickstarter, but rather than asking for money, we're asking for your creativity," Chu said.