"Oldboy" To Be Made Into a Spike Lee Joint

Turns out the rumors are true. The internet was buzzing that Spike Lee was reportedly in line to direct the long-gestating remake of Park Chan-Wook’s brutal Korean revenge hit “Oldboy,” and today Mandate Pictures finally confirmed that Lee will in fact helm the picture, scripted by Mark Protosevich (“I Am Legend”) and produced by Dough Davison (“The Departed”).

Ever since the original, directed by Chan-wook Park, hit in 2003, talk of an American remake has circulated, including a highly reported pairing of Will Smith and Steven Spielberg that fell through.

Here’s how Mandate is describing their redo:

“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.

This remake will mark Lee’s first film since the badly received “Miracle at St. Anna.” It will be interesting to see who Lee casts as the film’s protagonist, played so memorably in Park’s film by Choi Min-sik. Watch this space for developments.

Watch the trailer for the original below:

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