While I'm not a huge fan of remakes - I'm also up for seeing how they''ll work as well, and I'm a little on the sidelines with this recent news I heard from Variety via Matt Dentler's blog who sent some news about it my way.
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.On one hand I think having Will Smith could be an interesting choice and let's just be honest - probably a better one than Tom Cruise.
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 U and then found its way to Mandate.
But then there's this other thought I have as well:
Why the hell wouldn't you cast an Asian American face in the lead role?
How do you take a classic Asian film and not put an Asian face in the lead when this could be a perfect time to actually do that (and I'm speaking to you Hollywood).
No offense to Will Smith - but if they do a remake - I want to see someone with an Asian face playing Dae-Su.
More thoughts on this later.
