While the “Jem and the Holograms” of the ’80s was all about the glam and glitter, the modern makeover of the animated series might be a little more down to earth.
Instead of featuring the dramatic and jam-packed storyline of the original, director Jon M. Chu, who is set to helm the movie, stated that the remake will focus on Jerrica Benton (played by Aubrey Peeples), who is an average 21st century teenager.
According to Chu, there’s a twist to Benton’s character. Although she’s musically inclined and has been taught to play the guitar by her father, she doesn’t want to flaunt her skills as a musician as she’s afraid of being put in front of a crowd and being judged. As fate would have it, her talent is discovered and Benton is forced to embrace her alter-ego, Jem (whose name is derived from the nickname her father gave her), so that she can look out for her family and bandmates.
Peeples said of her character:
She never wanted to pursue the big costumes, lots of makeup, all that stuff. But in a way it helps her hide and have the confidence to come out and be this persona.
Chu agreed, as he added:
We see the transformation as she gets brought into it, getting seduced by it, and at the same time trying to find her real self in between those two identities.
The remake is “actually about a group of young people who are going to be inundated with this idea of fame and fortune and products and stuff.” It is a story of self-discovery that teaches youth to stay true to who they really are.
Chu admitted that the movie was a hard project to confront, as the series might be new to youths and children nowadays. To tackle the movie, he had to find a way to balance the Jerrica/Jem dynamic using the norms of this modern century.
The first question that occurred to him was: “How can you even have a secret identity with all this social media?” But after some time, the director realised that “everybody has a secret identity” and “the idea of ‘Who are you really?’ is more relevant today than ever.” This prompted him to make the movie.
USA Today also released several photos of the production, which you can view in the gallery below:
The other members of “Jem and the Holograms” are: Kimber Benton (Stefanie Scott), Aja Leith (Hayley Kiyoko), and Shana Elmsford (Aurora Perrineau).
Additional cast include Molly Ringwald as Aunt Bailey, Ryan Guzman as the love interest Rio Pacheco, and Juliette Lewis as the main antagonist Erica Raymond.
The movie is slated for release on 23rd October 2015.
Source: USA Today
