Nia DaCosta Imagines Clue Remake in a Norwegian Resort
Nia DaCosta, director of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, has revealed her vision for Sony's Clue remake, proposing a Norwegian resort setting and Tessa Thompson as the hotel manager, blending elements of The White Lotus and Knives Out.
Cluedo is set for a fresh adaptation, and Nia DaCosta has already mapped out her ideal approach. The director behind the forthcoming 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple recently shared her thoughts on how she’d reimagine the classic whodunnit, including a role for her frequent collaborator, Tessa Thompson. During a Reddit Q&A, DaCosta was asked: “Sony has secured the rights to remake the cult classic; Clue. If you were giving the helm to write and direct the remake. What would your take on it be? And which character would Tessa Thompson play?”
“My take would be, it's in Norway in a resort, off season, in the middle of nowhere. Tessa would play the manager of the hotel/the Tim Curry character,”
she replied, conjuring up a vision that’s part The White Lotus, part Knives Out, and entirely intriguing.
Classic Board Game, New Backdrop
With Sony Pictures having secured the rights to Cluedo in 2024, speculation has been rife about what form the next adaptation might take. The original 1985 film, directed by Jonathan Lynn and penned by John Landis, is fondly remembered for its sharp wit and ensemble cast. Tim Curry’s turn as Wadsworth the butler led a line-up that included Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren, Colleen Camp, and Lee Ving. The film’s setting—a remote mansion where a group of strangers gather, only for chaos to ensue—became iconic in its own right.
DaCosta’s suggestion to relocate the action to a Norwegian resort, particularly during the off-season, offers a chilly twist on the familiar formula. The idea of Tessa Thompson stepping into a role akin to Curry’s—this time as the hotel manager—adds a contemporary edge, while the isolated setting promises a fresh sense of unease.
Enduring Appeal of the Whodunnit
Cluedo’s enduring popularity owes much to its playful embrace of multiple outcomes. The 1985 film famously featured several alternate endings, a clever nod to the board game’s ever-changing scenarios and shifting suspects. This spirit of unpredictability has kept audiences coming back, and it’s a quality that modern viewers continue to relish.
In recent years, the whodunnit has enjoyed something of a renaissance. Netflix’s Knives Out series, now on its third instalment, and television hits like The Traitors have demonstrated that audiences still have an appetite for twisty mysteries and eccentric casts. DaCosta’s pitch, with its blend of Scandi-noir atmosphere and sly humour, seems well placed to tap into this trend.
What Lies Ahead
While Sony has yet to announce concrete plans for the new adaptation, the prospect of a Cluedo set against the stark beauty of Norway is certainly a tantalising one. The combination of a remote, off-season resort and a cast of potential suspects could breathe new life into the familiar tale of secrets and suspicion.
For now, fans of the genre will have to content themselves with anticipation—and perhaps a rewatch of the original film—while keeping an eye on the slate of upcoming releases scheduled for 2026.