The upcoming film reboot of the classic television series Fantasy Island will cut out one of its most famous characters.
According to Slash Film, the character of Tattoo, originally portrayed by French American actor Hervé Villechaize, will not be in the film. Actor Ryan Hansen, who is attached to the project, confirmed this when asked if Tattoo will appear in any capacity, saying, "No, not in this one." However, he also suggested this could change in subsequent films, adding, "I think if they have more they will do that or something...I don’t really know yet."
The original Fantasy Island revolved around the titular island where guests could magically live out their fantasies, albeit at a price, as guests of the overseer "Mr. Roarke," played by Ricardo Montalbán, and his assistant, Tattoo.
Tattoo became an iconic part of the show through his line, "Ze plane! Ze plane!" said in reference to guests arriving at the island. Villechaize made use of the line, for example, when appearing in a commercial for Dunkin' Donuts, although this time, he was asking for "plain" doughnuts.
Villechaize was born with dwarfism and he identified as a little person in life. While unconfirmed, Slash Film mused that casting another little person to "mimic" the late Villechaize could be seen in "poor taste," while also acknowledging that Villechaize loved the role.
Villechaize's life and death have also recently been the focus of the HBO television drama film, My Dinner with Hervé, starring actor Peter Dinklage as Villechaize.
Directed by Jeff Waldow, Fantasy Island stars Michael Peña, Lucy Hale, Maggie Q, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Michael Rooker and Ryan Hansen. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters Feb. 28, 2020.