Smith, Spielberg in Talks for “Oldboy.”
A couple of weeks ago, we brought you news that Will Smith had helped secure the rights for a live-action remake of the popular Japanese anime movie, “Old Boy.”
Now comes news that the film is on the fast track and director Steven Spielberg is is negotations to direct the film with Smith playing a lead role.  Spielberg and Smith are reported to be in negotiatotions with Universal Pictures to allow DreamWorks Studios to make “Oldboy.” Universal would serve as the distributor for the film.
Spielberg is reported to be looking for a writer to begin the development process.
“Oldboy” centers on a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned in a cell for 15 years with no explanation, until he is released one day and given a cell phone, money, and clothes. He then sets out to discover what happened and get his revenge.
Sounds almost like the premise of NBC’s “Life”.
Just to clarify, Oldboy is not a Japanese anime but a Korean live-action film. And considering the level of violence not to mention a rather disturbing twist in the film near the end I really doubt that Smith, Spielberg or whomever could add any more (besides English dialogue) to this great film. Just watch the original.
Here we go! Another tepid Hollywood remake of an Asian film…and it’s Schmaltzberg, no less!!
What’s next? McG remaking Audition??
Without a huge change in the plot I can’t imagine this working for the American mainstream audience.
I actually have a feeling that this was originally an animation before the Korean film was made.
Nevermind the fact that its neither Anime nor Japanese - but I’m not so sure that a Hollywood version will do the movie any good. Just watch the original, it’s a truly amazing film that cannot be done justice with a Hollywood remake.