Spielberg to set up "Oldboy" remake with Will Smith?!
 

November 7, 2008


Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are in early discussions to collaborate on a remake of Chan Wook-park's "Oldboy."

DreamWorks is in the process of securing the remake rights, and the new pic will be distributed by Universal.

In the 2003 Korean original, a man gets kidnapped and held in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. Suddenly, he's released and given money, a cell phone and clothes and is set on a path to discover who destroyed his life so he can take revenge.

Spielberg had been looking for an opportunity to make a film with Smith, who would play the kidnapped man if all the pieces fall into place. Spielberg is looking for a writer to begin the development process.

The film was originally set at Universal and then found its way to Mandate.

Spielberg is next expected to direct "Tintin."

I really can't get past the point that Hollywood insists on remaking the very films that least need a remake.

As I have said before, I would be all for remakes of films that had an interesting, original premise, but didn't execute well.

But Hollywood loves to go with the safe bet, and remakes those very films that they can't possibly do justice to. For example, The Wicker Man, Halloween, TCM, and many others.

I shouldn't write off a film before it's even started being made, but if history has taught me anything...

Somehow I doubt the ending will be intact here...

Spoilers: That said, I'd love to see Will Smith reailse that he's been bangin' his kid.

This is as bad an idea as the 3 Stooges thing....

There are literally dozens of movies from the 50s onwards which had a great premise but failed to do well at the BO or suffered from bland and mis-guided direction.

If only they looked at them from a creative angle, and not just the money-spinning stuff. Its getting to the point of every remake being disgraceful.

This is rubbish. I hope they at least change it up a little. I have no interest of seeing a shot-for-shot remake. At least they chose a good lead actor...

Park didn't hate the idea of a remake at first but I doubt if he envisioned this crew!

I guess I'll just have very low expectations so my feelings won't get hurt.

I heard about this today. It makes me angry. And I hope Spielberg dies in a fire.

I'm usually not surprised by remake news, but this actually does surprise me a bit for some reason. Its such an incredibly bad idea, that I just don't even know what to say.