I Am Legend Writer Tapped for Oldboy Redux
November 20th, 2008
Most of the fans of the stunning Korean film Oldboy (review) have already shuddered that the planned remake is in the hands of director Steven Spielberg and actor Will Smith; fulfilling this triangle of doom is screenwriter Mark Protosevich, as reported at The Hollywood Reporter. Protosevich is mostly known for his redesign of Richard Matheson’s classic I Am Legend, which featured cartoon zombies and an ending that completely mutilated that of the original tale. Instead of dark irony he gave us uplifting redemption and in doing so missed the beauty of the story entirely.
The announcement of Protosevich’s involvement carries the unspoken promise that the film will be redesigned into a "new and improved" version. What changes will remain to be seen and the mind reels at the potential absurdity of it. The grand twist at the end seems unlikely to remain; and what silly and redeeming contrivance will be baked up to replace it? What nonsense will be duct taped into the tale to try to make us all feel warm and fuzzy about ourselves and mankind in general?
To be clear, it’s not that myself, or anyone rational, would claim that either Spielberg or Smith are untalented men; far from it. Oldboy, however, is simply not the right project for this team. Why can’t they remake Schindler’s List instead? Huh, Spielberg? Will Smith could do a fine job of revamping Liam Neeson’s role. I’m going to go kick my couch.
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NO NO NO NO!! The two headed abomination that is Will Smith/Steven Spielberg must be stopped. I was angry when they violently raped my favorite book of all time (and NO I did not contribute 1 penny towards seeing it). Now I have to endure those bastards raping one of my favorite movies of all time. This is a movie much like Battle Royale or Versus that SHOULD NEVER EVER be watered down for main stream U.S. consumption. These movies are great because they don't have some ass bag getting jiggy with it or some hack putting walkie-talkies in peoples hands instead of guns. These movies are great because they go against everything Hollywood is shoveling out. If they have to remake something, why not attack John Hughes movies or Micheal Bay cowpies?
P.S. To answer a previous question, the manga is awesome, and no way will they even come close to 'capturing the spirit' of it.
Submitted by Gatsu on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 5:55pm.
Aint It Cool has an article stating that the Spielberg/Smith Oldboy is less a remake of the movie than a re-adaptation of the manga.
Anyone read the manga? I have the first volume, that came with the bigass tin Tartan set from a couple years ago but haven't read it. How different is it?
Either way, I'm ok with them doing their own take on it... I still have zero expectations
Submitted by G.D. on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 8:00am.
I'd rather have Will Smith star in this remake (which won't ruin the original for me) than him screwing up another original genre movie.
Submitted by Caterpillar on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 12:43am.
Protosevitch's original Ridley Scott/Arnold Schwarzeneggar draft of I AM LEGEND makes the Will Smith abortion look like LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.
It blows my mind that there are people (like Harry Knowles of Ain't I Fat News) consider this script 'one of the best unproduced scripts ever'.
But back on topic, there's is absolutely no way on earth that a remake of OLDBOY could possibly match Chan Wook-Park's original masterpiece. So fuck it and everyone involved with it.
I'll gladly put this alongside the remake of A TALE OF TWO SISTERS (the greatest Asian horror film of all time) as movies that I will never, ever watch.
Submitted by Cash Bailey on Thu, 11/20/2008 - 8:29pm.
I'm so completely indifferent at this point. Until I hear something concrete about any changes to be made, I'm not going to waste my energy getting pissed off.
Submitted by G.D. on Thu, 11/20/2008 - 8:04pm.
To be fair though, Mark Protosevich's original ending was a bit different than what theatrical cut did.
Although I definitely agree that the twist will be removed or changed.
Submitted by Mephistopheles on Thu, 11/20/2008 - 7:01pm.