Josh Brolin has been cast as the lead in Spike Lee‘s Oldboy (2012) remake. The original (Oldeuboi) was directed by Chan-wook Park in 2003 and starred Min-sik Choi, Ji-tae Yu, and Hye-jeong Kang. Oldboy‘s plot synopsis: “The story centers on a man who is kidnapped on his daughter’s birthday and held for 15 years in solitary confinement without explanation. He is eventually released and sets out on a path to take revenge on those who destroyed his life.”
I was against this being remade the moment I heard it was happening. As soon as I finished watching Oldboy for the first time in 2003, I knew it was a classic from the excellent camera work, the script, and the acting. In addition, th film’s ending was a hammer to the senses. I was not the only person that felt that way. Oldboy is probably one of the best revenge films ever made and a great film in its own right. The film constantly keeps the viewers guessing, blasting them with new stimuli, and bits and pieces of unraveled mystery.
My question is: Will Oldboy‘s original ending be kept completely intact or will it be marginalized and altered? If David Fincher were in the mix, the ending would stay as is. When corporate gets their hands in the mix, they might try to make it more palatable for American audiences thus softening the ending.
More on the Oldboy remake:
The new Oldboy has script adapted by Mark Protosevich, who will co-produce. Roy Lee and Doug Davison will produce via Vertigo Entertainment with Lee’s 40 Acres & A Mule. Mandate president Nathan Kahane will executive produce. Originally, DreamWorks was looking to pick up remake rights in 2008, with the idea that Steven Spielberg would direct Smith.
What do you think of Josh Brolin being cast as the lead in Spike Lee’s Oldboy remake? Have you seen the original film?
Source: Deadline, Firstshowing, Geektyrant