Rocky remake leaves O'Brien cold

The original 1975 film has become a cult classic

A remake of cult 1975 film The Rocky Horror Picture Show is being produced without the blessing of its creator Richard O'Brien, he has told the BBC.

It was announced on Wednesday that the new version, which will be co-financed by Sky Movies in the UK and MTV in the US, would be co-produced by O'Brien.

But he told the BBC he would not be involved "in any way".

"I have no view on whether it should be remade but it doesn't have my blessing," he added.

Alien transvestites

The original 1975 film, starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Meat Loaf, has become a kitsch classic.

The plot revolves around young American couple Brad and Janet who accidentally stumble into a strange world of alien transvestites and overt sexuality.

I'm not co-producing it and I won't be involved in any way. The first I heard about it was when people sent me cuttings from US papers Richard O'Brien

Sky announced on Wednesday that Lou Adler, executive producer on the original film, would return in the same role, while O'Brien would co-produce.

But, speaking on Wednesday afternoon, O'Brien told the BBC: "I'm not co-producing it and I won't be involved in any way.

"The first I heard about it was when people sent me cuttings from US papers."

He later told BBC Radio 5 Live that his involvement had been announced "to suggest I've given the project my seal of approval".

The original was "a wonderful movie", he said.

"I don't know where they'll go with it really," he added.

"I've even heard that they're going to put new songs in.

"I wrote the book, the music and the lyrics.

"Where are they going to get the songs from? Who's going to do that? That's a bit strange isn't it?"

'Life of own'

Sky said the cast and director of the new version are yet to be announced.

Lou Adler said: "The Rocky Horror phenomenon has a life of its own that has reincarnated itself in numerous ways since its birth.

Richard O'Brien said the stage show had gone from strength to strength

"Our hope has always been that each new endeavour and rebirth will expose the Rocky Horror experience to new audiences and expand the fan base." He said the original film would continue to be enjoyed "by new fans and old alike".

The new film will have its UK premiere on the Sky Movies channel.

The film started life as stage show The Rocky Horror Show in 1973.

It was adapted for cinema as The Rocky Horror Picture Show two years later and has generated an enthusiastic and dedicated following.

Audiences to both the stage and screen versions are encouraged to dress up like the show's characters.

O'Brien said the stage show had gone from strength to strength with a production opening in Sydney recently and one due to open in Berlin by the end of the year.