This news comes courtesy of Firstshowing.net.
"He's already remaking Ghost in the Shell, so why not another Asian cinema classic? The newly independent DreamWorks is currently working to secure the remake rights to Chan-wook Park's 2003 film Oldboy. Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are in early discussions to collaborate on the remake, with Smith potentially starring and Spielberg potentially directing. They're currently searching for a screenwriter to begin developing the project while Spielberg finishes directing Tintin. Anyone who is familiar with the original, which is an incredible movie, knows that this isn't exactly the best idea, but if there's anyone who I'd be comfortable with taking on the monumental task of remaking it, it's definitely Spielberg."
I died a little today after reading this news, because this is a film that absolutely in no way needs to be remade. Most of the time the reason behind these Hollywood remakes of foreign films is of course money. And the filmmakers' excuse is usually that an American audience never get a chance to see these films, or something along those lines. Now I agree with Hollywood wanting to make money, because that's the business they're in. So that makes plenty of sense. But I have a problem with the other reason I listed. American audiences always have a chance to see many of these great foreign movies. Many of them are released in theaters and are available on DVD. No, the problem is that American audiences hate to read subtitles and that's a crying shame.
It just amazes me that there are people who won't give a foreign film a chance because it's subtitled. I have an example for you. I remember seeing Guillermo Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" when it was released in theaters two years ago. After seeing it and being amazed how great of a film it was, I went ahead a recommended it to a friend of mine. I see him about a week later and ask him if he had seen it. He proceeds to tell me that he thought it wasn't very good, mainly because it was subtitled. I was honestly disappointed with that response. Now everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I think that's one terrible criticism to give a film. Basically the excuse is "I want to watch the movie, not read." Are you fucking kidding me? It takes a second to read a line a dialogue on the screen. Are people that close minded not give a film that's subtitled a chance? OK, I kinda got off topic here and I would like to get back to the matter at hand. This is suppose to be about "Oldboy." But I think my thoughts about American movie audiences hating subtitles just needed to be put out there.
OK back to "Oldboy." I find the film to be one of the most popular Korean films ever made and it already has an American audience. And if it were to be remade, I don't believe they would have to balls to keep the same themes and big twist at the end in the film. I just couldn't see Will Smith being a part of something like that. Spielberg I don't have problem with. He's one of the greatest filmmakers ever and he's more than capable in making a solid remake of this film. But I just don't think it's necessary. It's just going to get dumbed down for American audiences and make a quick buck off the original Korean films fame. If anything, I hope people get really interested and actually check out Chan Wook Park's films. I don't know, I just think it's such a fantastic film and doesn't need an American makeover. I think Hollywood needs to stop worrying about other countries films and start coming up with their own ideas. Just a suggestion.
No comments:
Post a Comment