Michael Douglas, the Hollywood icon, has delivered a heartfelt tribute to the legendary film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Taking to Instagram, the Oscar-winning star announced an exciting cinematic re-release of the 1975 classic. In a video message, he shared, “Hello, friends. I just want to give you a heads up on Sunday, July 13, the 50th anniversary of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is going to have a showing, a brand new print of a movie that won five Academy Awards, and it’s 50 years old.”
Douglas, who produced the film at just 31, expressed his pride and nostalgia, stating, “If you’re interested, please go to the link in my bio, and you can find out showtimes and theatre locations as well as get a background about the movie for those of you who don’t know about it. It’s something I’m very proud of, and it changed my life and my direction in becoming a film producer. Thank you! MD.” Fans flooded the comments with admiration, sharing their excitement for the film’s milestone anniversary.
One fan wrote, “Thanks Michael and congratulations for the anniversary! Unforgettable film!” Another chimed in, “LOVE LOVE LOVE THE NEST AND YOU!!!” The excitement surrounding the anniversary isn’t just about the film’s re-release; there’s also a new television adaptation in the works.
Paul Zaentz, the nephew of the original film’s producer, Saul Zaentz, confirmed the project during an appearance on the indie podcast CK Café. He revealed, “Just now, I’ve signed an agreement with Ken Kesey’s widow to develop a TV series which we’ll make through the point of view of the Chief for the first season. Following the first season, we’ll see what happens to the Chief after he escapes from the psychiatric hospital.”
While Milos Forman’s 1975 film secured its place in cinema history after winning all five major Academy Awards, the author Ken Kesey wasn’t entirely satisfied with the adaptation. He famously distanced himself, primarily because the film shifted focus from Chief Bromden, the Native American patient whose perspective dominates the original 1962 novel.
Zaentz, speaking at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival alongside Michael Douglas, emphasized that the new project will not be a carbon copy of the original film. He remarked, “Over the last 50 years, there have been hundreds of calls from studios, directors, and producers who want to remake the movie, and we would never allow it to be remade if they were just going to do it as Milos made it.” Instead, the planned series aims to resurrect the novel’s original viewpoint — that of Chief Bromden.
The original One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest starred the unforgettable Jack Nicholson as the rebellious R.P. McMurphy, with Louise Fletcher delivering a chilling performance as Nurse Ratched. Notably, Danny DeVito appeared as Martini in one of his earliest roles.