After a few quiet years, working on small TV projects and documentaries, Spike Lee is finally back on the big screen with shooting starting today on his new film RED HOOK SUMMER (Working title) and also being confirmed as the diretcor of the OLDBOY remake. Read below for the press release from Mandate;
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.
I am a die hard OLDBOY fan and like most people I was disgusted by the prospect of Spielberg and Will Smith originally on board to remake the film (Smith has it in him but his profile would ruin the project). Spike Lee on the other hand is an excellent talent for the film and should be able to rustle up a great interruption of the source material, the original Manga, just like Park Chan-wook did in 2004. Keep your eyes peeled for more info as it breaks. In the meantime check the below video to see how a remake should not be done.
