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Each version of the story features the same basic plot. A man is locked away for years without reason, and once released, goes looking for explanations and those responsible. But what's odd is that each successive version of the story adds additional years to the length of imprisonment. In the original manga, Shinichi Goto is trapped for a decade. In the first film adaptation, Oh Dae-su is locked away for 15 years, and as the new trailer for the American edition reveals, Brolin's Joe Doucett is kept in solitary confinement for 20 years.

(As is always the case in such movies, Brolin ages suspiciously well in those twenty years; by the time he's released with his new haircut, he almost looks younger than he did in 1993.)

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The American version of the movie has been in the works for some time. In 2008, it was Will Smith and Steven Spielberg attached to the project, although both dropped out a year later, effectively killing the project until Lee became involved in 2011. Mark Protosevich, who provided scripts for I Am Legend and The Cell, has remained attached as screenwriter throughout.

The film also stars also stars Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley. Oldboy will be released Oct. 25 via FilmDistrict.