Attack Of The Fifty Foot Woman: Confirmation & Everything We Know About The Remake

Acclaimed director Tim Burton is setting his sights on a remake of the 1950s sci-fi B-movie Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman, and there are already many exciting updates about the new project. Originally released in 1958, Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman follows a wealthy heiress named Nancy who is turned into a giant after encountering an alien being. Enraged by discovering her husband’s cheating ways, Nancy then goes on a titanic rampage and destroys her town. The low-budget film was hardly high art, but it exemplified 1950s sci-fi cheesiness, and has since become a cult classic.

Like many of the best sci-fi flicks from the 1950s, Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman has been the subject of several remakes and a slew of failed remake attempts. Perhaps the most notable reimagining came with the release of the 1993 version produced by HBO and starring Daryl Hannah in the title role. Though the heyday of remaking ’50s sci-fi is seemingly over, it has now been announced that celebrated director Tim Burton plans to put his own spin on the cult classic.

Tim Burton Downplays His Involvement In The Project

Though the project (announced in February 2024) seemingly hinged on the involvement of the celebrated director, the latest news sees Tim Burton walk back Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman. Casting doubt upon the 1950s sci-fi remake, Burton candidly said that “I have no real projects at the moment.“ Going on to explain just how “traumatic” it has been to be attached to ideas that go nowhere, Burton has made it clear that he’s reticent to commit to something until it’s a sure thing.

What this means for A ttack of the Fifty Foot Woman is unclear, and it isn’t certain where the movie stands in the development process. It could be that Burton is simply unwilling to agree to make the movie until it’s further along, or it could mean the entire thing is still in limbo. However, with an accomplished writer like Gillian Flynn attached, it’s unlikely that Hollywood will want to stop the train, even if Tim Burton isn’t aboard.

Read Burton’s full comments below:

I have no real projects at the moment. One thing I learned very early on is that until I’m on the set doing something I don’t know if I’m doing it. I’ve had projects, I was doing a Superman [movie] once, I did another project that I worked for a year upon, and it didn’t happen. When those things happen, it’s quite traumatic, it’s quite emotional. So, I’m very protective of myself. In Hollywood, when you’re doing something, you may think you’re doing something, until they tell you you’re not doing something. You get quite traumatized by those situations, so I wait until I’m on the set, and then I will tell you, “Yes,” because I’m actually doing it. But before then, I don’t know.

The Remake Is On The Way

It was announced in February 2024 that a new remake of Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman was on the way, with several big names already attached. No stranger to putting his own touch on the charming style of ’50s sci-fi, director Tim Burton was signed onto the project alongside Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn. Though Burton has moved into the realm of producing lately, the Beetlejuice and Batman director was reported to helm the project. Nothing is yet known about the cast, story, or the film’s production timeline.

Since the movie’s initial announcement, Burton has seemingly walked-back his involvement in the film. Though he hasn’t outright said he isn’t doing The Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman, he did mention (in December 2024) that he wasn’t currently working on any projects. While that could simply mean he’s waiting for the script to come along, it could also mean that he isn’t involved anymore.

Tim Burton And Gillian Flynn Were Team Up For The Remake

Along with the announcement that the remake was happening, it was also revealed that Tim Burton was attached to direct the new movie and Gillian Flynn would pen the script. Burton previously tackled the cheesy 1950s aesthetic in his films Mars Attacks! and Ed Wood, and it’s clear that films like Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman had a profound effect on Burton’s style. On the other hand, writer Gillian Flynn is an unusual choice, as her thrilling novels like Sharp Objects and Gone Girl are noted for their gritty characters and shocking realism.

Tim Burton’s recent projects include:

This announcement may have generated considerable buzz around the developing project, but Burton’s involvement isn’t so certain after all. Nearly a year after the film was revealed, Tim Burton made it clear that he wasn’t signed onto any projects (as of December 2024). While citing the “traumatic” feelings that come along with seeing a project canceled, Burton went back on previous reports that made him the central attraction of the new remake. At this juncture, it’s unclear if Burton will eventually be a part of the movie, or if the movie will ever actually happen.

Related

10 Best Sci-Fi Movies From The 1950s

The 1950s was a golden era for the sci-fi genre, with the release of many films that remain timeless classics and cult favorites in the modern day.

What Will The Remake Be About?

At the time of writing, it is unclear exactly what the story of the remake will be, or how closely it will mirror the plot of the original. The 1958 film is based on a simple premise, and the remake will likely take those ideas and expand upon them in a modern context. The remake will likely eschew the somewhat sexist concepts of the first film, such as the irate and irrational woman trope, in favor of a more nuanced version of the Fifty Foot Woman. Whatever the story ends up being, it’s guaranteed that Burton’s visual style will mesh well with Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman.

An alien encounter leaves an abused wife as a giant, and she pursues revenge on her unfaithful husband after surviving an attempted murder.

Director

Nathan Hertz

Release Date

May 19, 1958

Writers

Mark Hanna

Cast

Allison Hayes , William Hudson , Yvette Vickers , Roy Gordon , George Douglas , Ken Terrell

Main Genre

Sci-Fi