IKIRU remake to be directed by Jim Sheridan

[A.J. Hakari]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=6324

Sheridan Helming DreamWorks' Ikiru
Source: Variety Friday, September 10, 2004


Director Jim Sheridan (In America) will helm Ikiru, the DreamWorks remake of the 1952 Akira Kurosawa film that is being crafted as a potential starring vehicle for Tom Hanks, reports Variety.

Sheridan will shoot the movie in New York. It's the story of a low-level bureaucrat who discovers that after 30 years in the same job, he's contracted stomach cancer. Determined to seek more from the remaining moments of his life, the man initially seeks out decadent pursuits before deciding he wants to leave behind something memorable.

The updated drama has been written by Freedomland author Richard Price. Sheridan will work with the writer to hone his script.

[Scarface98.9]

I wasn't the biggest fan of Ikiru, but I don't really think it needs to be remade, especially as a Tom Hanks vehicle

[Tayzlor]

Ikiru shouldn't be touched. The worst thing about it is that Dreamworks will likely exploit it in its annual Oscar push, which to me is insulting to the brilliant original.

That said, I still see no reason to enjoy the movie itself. Tom Hanks is always in form, although Jack Nicholson would OWN this role, it would be too similar to About Schmidt. I'm glad they got at least Jim Sheridan, he shouldn't over-sentimentalize the movie too badly.

[ChemicalRomance]

Just saw this on IMDb, and wanted to bump this thread by saying:

Nooooooooooooooo!

[MidnightAngel]

Originality in Hollywood died years ago.

[Mr. Durp]

Originally posted by MidnightAngel
Originality in Hollywood died years ago.

it sure did. there are a few unique gems made by the studios here and there, but for the most part, it's all recycled bullshit. indies are the only thing keeping the art in film alive.

honestly, an american remake of "ikiru"? with an "all the king's men" remake and the american remake of "the departed" set for next year's oscar season, pretty soon it'll all be remakes. i'm 19 years old right now. lord knows what they'll be remaking when i'm middle aged.

[Tayzlor]

Awful news, of course.

But I'm curious how they will do this, would disregarding the entire third act where the businessmen try to decipher who he was be to "Americanize" it?

Either way, I'll try to enjoy it...but I'll try my hardest to not hold the original's greatness against it.

I'm confident that it could be a decent movie, but it really does lose a lot of credibility points when you realize it is a remake. Some movies are remade for the bank appeal of the previous movie and often disregard the movie they ripped off, and go off and do their own thing but keeping the main plot points. It seems with the Ikiru remake, it would almost have to follow the movie, making for a boring watch for those who've seen the original. I'm critiquing a movie that hasn't even began filming, but, again, I'm really curious how they will do this one.


Also, disregard my comment above that Jim Sheridan won't oversentimentalize the movie. I have no idea what he will do, but if "In America" is any indication..

EDIT:

How could they do a variation of the "old man facing death decides to do something with life"? I bet Hanks and Sheridan wanted to do an old man looking back at his life movie and latched onto "Ikiru" when they had no idea how to do this. Well, at least they got me interested in the movie.

[bigred760]

I am a big fan of Kurosawa and of Ikiru. I'm hoping that it's done with the same spirit and class as Kurosawa did. While I'm not thrilled that they're remaking it, it's not the most well-known Kurosawa movie (like Seven Samurai or Yojimbo), I'm glad they're bringing recognition to the story.

[DareDevil]

I too am against Remakes, but this does sound pretty good, least has a good chance of it.... only time will tell