OLDBOY Remake Officially to be a Spike Lee Joint
Last week a rumor hit the net that Spike Lee would be directing the remake of Park Chan Wook's Oldboy. It has just been confirmed by Mandate Studio's the Lee is officially set to direct the Oldboy film project. From Spielberg to Lee, that's an interesting jump in talent. I don't think Lee's directing style is right for this project at all. But, it is a style of film he's never really worked with before, so it will be interesting to see what he does with it. Maybe, he'll end up making an awesome adaptation of the comic. Lee will direct from a screenplay by I Am Legend screenwriter Mark Protosevich.
Lee has been quite on the directing front for a few years, now he's got this, and he's committed to direct another indie film project called Red Hook Summer in which he will reprise his role from Do The Right Thing.
I'm a huge fan of the original film, and in the end I don't see the need for this story to be remade. It will be interested to see his take on the material. What do you all think about Lee directing Oldboy?
Here's a short synopsis for the story:
An average man is kidnapped and imprisoned in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. He then is released, equipped with money, a cellphone and expensive clothes. As he strives to explain his imprisonment and get his revenge, Oh Dae-Su soon finds out that his kidnapper has a greater plan for him and is set onto a path of pain and suffering in an attempt to uncover the motive of his mysterious tormentor.
Here's the full press release:
Los Angeles (July 11, 2011) – Mandate Pictures announced today that Spike Lee (Inside Man) will direct OLDBOY, a remake of the highly-acclaimed South Korean film. Mark Protosevich has adapted the screenplay and will co-produce. Roy Lee and Doug Davison (The Departed, The Grudge) will produce. The film is a Vertigo Entertainment/40 Acres & A Mule Production. Mandate President Nathan Kahane will executive produce.
“It’s a great honor to put this special project into the hands of such a gifted writer and iconic director,” said Kahane.
OLDBOY tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned on his daughter’s birthday. For fifteen years, he is held captive, and, upon his release, must begin his journey to find the reason for his imprisonment. He soon finds out that his kidnapper has plans for him more tortuous than his solitary confinement. The original film, released in 2003, directed by Chan-wook Park won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
Spike Lee and Mark Protosevich are represented by CAA. Dan Freedman, SVP of business affairs, negotiated the deals for Mandate.