I Am Legend Writer Tapped for Oldboy Redux
Tristan Sinns
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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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