Oldboy gets writer | Movie News

Oldboy gets writer
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by: Mike Sampson Nov. 19, 2008

The planned Will Smith/Steven Spielberg remake of OLDBOY has gotten itself a writer. While DreamWorks was busy interviewing writers, Smith skipped that step and personally brought in writer Mark Protosevich to meet with him and Spielberg. Smith is likely aware of Protosevich's work from his early draft of I AM LEGEND that first attracted the star to the project (fans should not worry - Protosevich's early draft was genius and rewrites by Akiva Goldsman doomed the version you saw in theaters). In addition to LEGEND, Protosevich recently wrote a bitchin' draft of THOR, which Kenneth Branagh is set to direct for Marvel. The Spielberg/Smith OLDBOY is moving forward nicely but many Spielberg projects seem to move along nicely before eventually dissolving (THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 was in casting when Spielberg eventually moved on). While the casting of Smith leaves me suspect, the bizarre idea of Spielberg directing an OLDBOY remake is too good for me to not be extremely interested in where this goes.

Source: THR

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Crimson_Kahuna
1:55PM on 11/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
apperently...
... they are basing it off the manga/comic series and not the movie. Not that that makes this any easier to swallow.
... they are basing it off the manga/comic series and not the movie. Not that that makes this any easier to swallow.
 
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SCope07
9:50AM on 11/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I AM LEGEND theaterical release, SUCKED! Didn't even resemble the book form which you would think it would at least a little. I didn't read the original draft but remakes are always a little sketchy and I do think it's too soon for this to be happening. The original was awesome. I guess though after seeing the success of The Departed, a remake, maybe American audiences will believe this...
I AM LEGEND theaterical release, SUCKED! Didn't even resemble the book form which you would think it would at least a little. I didn't read the original draft but remakes are always a little sketchy and I do think it's too soon for this to be happening. The original was awesome. I guess though after seeing the success of The Departed, a remake, maybe American audiences will believe this movie is an original by Spielberg also. Who knows. I hope all of Asia is pissed right now...
 
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critic_h8er
6:17AM on 11/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Three things:



1--F*CK this remake, fantastic director and star or not.

2--Spielberg and Smith are too good to be remaking a movie only several years old and from another country.

3--I STILL loved the finished theatrical cut of I AM LEGEND, so there.
Three things:



1--F*CK this remake, fantastic director and star or not.

2--Spielberg and Smith are too good to be remaking a movie only several years old and from another country.

3--I STILL loved the finished theatrical cut of I AM LEGEND, so there.
 
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Volta
11:06PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
No, their raping him! THEIR RAPING HIMMM!!!



But seriously, Spielberg really should be brought up on rape charges.
No, their raping him! THEIR RAPING HIMMM!!!



But seriously, Spielberg really should be brought up on rape charges.
 
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autochthonous
8:15PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Mike Sampson
Are you on crack? Mark Protosevich's script for "I Am Legend" was genius? It was a silly mess. If he follows that formula, the main character in the American "Oldboy" will end up sailing away with his new love and not feeling the comeuppance that the character is inflicted. But it doesn't matter how screwed up he makes the American "Oldboy", we'll always have the original.
Are you on crack? Mark Protosevich's script for "I Am Legend" was genius? It was a silly mess. If he follows that formula, the main character in the American "Oldboy" will end up sailing away with his new love and not feeling the comeuppance that the character is inflicted. But it doesn't matter how screwed up he makes the American "Oldboy", we'll always have the original.
 
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Call me Indiana
7:47PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
@ nickdoll
I agree with your reasoning to a certain extent. Personally, I feel if it's already been done why does it need to be done again? It's like if your mom makes you meatloaf and your mom's meatloaf is especially good. But she keeps serving it night after night after night; and even though it's really good meatloaf wouldn't you get tired of having it all the time? 'Course you would.

I agree with your reasoning to a certain extent. Personally, I feel if it's already been done why does it need to be done again? It's like if your mom makes you meatloaf and your mom's meatloaf is especially good. But she keeps serving it night after night after night; and even though it's really good meatloaf wouldn't you get tired of having it all the time? 'Course you would.



It's the same with re-makes. That's all we seem to be getting these days and people (including myself) are getting tired of it. Especially with them "Americanizing" these really great foreign films. These American filmmakers are so arrogant towards foreigners who made a great film that they have to essentially steal their idea and do it themselves rather than try and create something great on their own. Plus, it's just plain ridiculous to re-make something that isn't even that old. I read a while back about a film that's being re-made (or "Americanized") that, at the time, was still in the festival circuit. They're not even giving the original a chance! We shouldn't have to choose between the original film and the re-make. The original should be good enough. And it's not that they're ruining movies, they're ruining creativity and originality. It's just more meatloaf.



Granted, some films warrant a re-make (X-MEN: THE LAST STAND) and some re-makes turn out to be very exceptional (John Carpenter's THE THING). But Hollywood clearly hasn't learned how to justify between warranted re-makes and unwarranted ones.
 
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Sonny Corleone
7:17PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Blasphemy.
Blasphemy.
 
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mathuVSmathu
7:15PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
would anyone care to purchase a "Steven Spielberg go F%&*k yourself!!" t-shirt?
would anyone care to purchase a "Steven Spielberg go F%&*k yourself!!" t-shirt?
 
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blitzkrieg78
6:26PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Duh... Another Hollywood remake?
Can't help but agree with the prev 4 cmmts. I wonder if Hollywood can truly learn from their mistakes
Can't help but agree with the prev 4 cmmts. I wonder if Hollywood can truly learn from their mistakes
 
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KcMsterpce
5:43PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
No, it'll be an Oldboy-lite shit festival
Spielberg has never proven to be "wild" enough to make a movie that deals with Oldboy's themes. Even his "downer" endings are politically correct, made just to prove the point of his melodramatic messages.
Spielberg has never proven to be "wild" enough to make a movie that deals with Oldboy's themes. Even his "downer" endings are politically correct, made just to prove the point of his melodramatic messages.
 
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The Postmaster General
4:45PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I can't imagine the entire story staying in tact, but am curious what they'll do with it. The ending was never the best or hinge of the movie for me. I liked the set-up and fight scenes much much more. It got too soap opera-ish at the end for me. The whole movie is good, but I swear it seems like the first 2/3rds is so underrated.



I just hope they at least change up the title if...
I can't imagine the entire story staying in tact, but am curious what they'll do with it. The ending was never the best or hinge of the movie for me. I liked the set-up and fight scenes much much more. It got too soap opera-ish at the end for me. The whole movie is good, but I swear it seems like the first 2/3rds is so underrated.



I just hope they at least change up the title if they screw with the story too much. The name Oldboy holds too much for too many.
 
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dreamfall
3:38PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Ugh...knowing American film studios and producers, I'm betting the ending will be changed. I don't want to spoil it for others, but what happens at the end is pretty shocking, and I think it isn't something the general american public will like. I for one won't be seeing this movie.
Ugh...knowing American film studios and producers, I'm betting the ending will be changed. I don't want to spoil it for others, but what happens at the end is pretty shocking, and I think it isn't something the general american public will like. I for one won't be seeing this movie.
 
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nodirectionhome
3:29PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i typed a 2 instead of 1, my mistake. thanks for correction; lesson learned. Whatever the year of the film, it's still a bad idea to soely remake or as Burton copyrighted "re-imagine" a film in any capacity just because its on the market; unless of course one is using known material to tinker in an otherwise new genre to the director; like Scorsese or Zemeckis, etc. Even in those cases, its...
i typed a 2 instead of 1, my mistake. thanks for correction; lesson learned. Whatever the year of the film, it's still a bad idea to soely remake or as Burton copyrighted "re-imagine" a film in any capacity just because its on the market; unless of course one is using known material to tinker in an otherwise new genre to the director; like Scorsese or Zemeckis, etc. Even in those cases, its not really respected but noted as an effort to expand the medium or a sometimes earnest effort by the director to reinvent/ challenge his/her filmography. But Speilberg is mainly just zeroing(?) in on a known film for monetary reasons, which shouldnt be acceptable given his vast contributions to cinema. Perhaps Im just a film geek at heart that would hope to see a master of the art continue to contribute to the medium bringing my kid the same enjoyment I once experienced and frankly thats no longer the case with him
 
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nickdoll
3:26PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I Don't Get It.
I never understand the outrage when a remake, or reboot, or delayed sequel to a beloved film is announced.



Even if this new movie sucks, you still have the original in exactly the same state as before. The new Star Wars trilogy does not make the old trilogy any less good, nor would Ghostbusters 3 detract from Ghostbusters 1 & 2.



I love Oldboy. I don't mind the...
I never understand the outrage when a remake, or reboot, or delayed sequel to a beloved film is announced.



Even if this new movie sucks, you still have the original in exactly the same state as before. The new Star Wars trilogy does not make the old trilogy any less good, nor would Ghostbusters 3 detract from Ghostbusters 1 & 2.



I love Oldboy. I don't mind the idea of a American remake because it has the chance of spawning another kickass film. And if it sucks and Speilberg and Smith take all the glory out of it, I'll still have the original so I'm no worse off than I am right now.



So stop bitching. Lucas's special editions ruin movies, not remakes or sequels.
 
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A-1
3:18PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
not again
talk about a movie that doesn't need to be redone!!!
talk about a movie that doesn't need to be redone!!!
 
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natethegreat2nd
3:09PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WOW
what a bad idea, I LOVE that movie and somehow Hollywood is going to find a way to screw that up..just like they always do



first [REC] becomes Quarantine

now this

leave good foreign movies alone...
what a bad idea, I LOVE that movie and somehow Hollywood is going to find a way to screw that up..just like they always do



first [REC] becomes Quarantine

now this

leave good foreign movies alone...
 
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Joe_99
3:02PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Sigh...
This is a bad idea. They're going to change the ending. Smith is too big of a name for this movie. Oldboy is too recent and too popular among people who really care about movies.



Don't get me wrong, they have the capability to do it right and if they do, it'll be a fantastic movie. I trust their talents when they put them to good scripts...it all depends on the script.
This is a bad idea. They're going to change the ending. Smith is too big of a name for this movie. Oldboy is too recent and too popular among people who really care about movies.



Don't get me wrong, they have the capability to do it right and if they do, it'll be a fantastic movie. I trust their talents when they put them to good scripts...it all depends on the script.
 
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Call me Indiana
2:57PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
@nodirectionhome. It's five years old to be exact. Three if you're going by it's U.S. release date. Just looked it up.



I haven't seen OLDBOY so I can't really comment with any such knowledge or accuracy regarding it. But I am getting tired of this new fad Hollywood seems to be into. As if re-makes weren't bad enough, now they've got to re-make films that aren't even that old...
@nodirectionhome. It's five years old to be exact. Three if you're going by it's U.S. release date. Just looked it up.



I haven't seen OLDBOY so I can't really comment with any such knowledge or accuracy regarding it. But I am getting tired of this new fad Hollywood seems to be into. As if re-makes weren't bad enough, now they've got to re-make films that aren't even that old or haven't even been released yet. Next they're going to start re-making flicks that are still in production. I think it's time for some new talent with some original ideas.



I think Spielberg and Smith are too good for this. That is to say too good to re-make a flick that's not that old. Spielberg has always seemed like a guy who loves old movies so much he'd just leave them be. I think he should scrap this and get to work on LINCOLN.
 
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bdubprod
2:01PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I think I'm with the people who are referring to the ending...I just dont see Smith being the actor to play this part...in fact, I dont see any big name Hollywood star playing thist part...I wouldnt want the movie re-done if they changed the ending because it was very different than any other type of revenge film...I dont know...I'm on the fence right now...Spielberg directing I'm ok with...
I think I'm with the people who are referring to the ending...I just dont see Smith being the actor to play this part...in fact, I dont see any big name Hollywood star playing thist part...I wouldnt want the movie re-done if they changed the ending because it was very different than any other type of revenge film...I dont know...I'm on the fence right now...Spielberg directing I'm ok with though...he's always been my favorite.
 
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ranier87
1:57PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Ouch.
Oldboy is too good for this nonsense. Smith is good. Speilberg is good. But really? This just doesn't seem like their thing.
Oldboy is too good for this nonsense. Smith is good. Speilberg is good. But really? This just doesn't seem like their thing.
 
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The Clif
1:52PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
You just know they are gonna change the ending
which was basically the core of the movie
which was basically the core of the movie
 
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SpongeMike182
1:23PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Oldboy is a classic
Spielberg, i used to love your movies when i was a kid so it's sad to say that i think lately that you're turning into a big greedy bastard like lucas. Oldboy is a classic and doesn't need a remake. How about you come up with some original stuff like you did a long time ago.
Spielberg, i used to love your movies when i was a kid so it's sad to say that i think lately that you're turning into a big greedy bastard like lucas. Oldboy is a classic and doesn't need a remake. How about you come up with some original stuff like you did a long time ago.
 
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abcdehacademy
12:49PM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
oldboy is barely 20?
wtf r u talking about dude?
wtf r u talking about dude?
 
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nodirectionhome
11:45AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
this is my problem with the 'Berg, he's become a product of his enviroment. What happened to the man who brought JAWS, ET, & RAIDERS ? i could see remaking a film for the sense of exploring a genre like Scorsese & CAPE FEAR. But also that film was at least 30 years old, OLD BOY is barely 20. This film wil suck much like INDY 4, especially if he continues with the same cinematographer; who...
this is my problem with the 'Berg, he's become a product of his enviroment. What happened to the man who brought JAWS, ET, & RAIDERS ? i could see remaking a film for the sense of exploring a genre like Scorsese & CAPE FEAR. But also that film was at least 30 years old, OLD BOY is barely 20. This film wil suck much like INDY 4, especially if he continues with the same cinematographer; who loves to suck the energy out an image and bleach into an unnatural "natural" light. Also take into account MINORITY REPORT which covers some of the same ground; you thought 'Berg was bad at directing CGI in INDY ? What Im getting at is a bored and dour 'Berg reveals holes in the tent of what we consider his great pictures; because he forces those elements to coincide and create a comfort bubble around a dishevled project. That's why this projects rarely do well ala LOST WORLD, MINORITY, AI, WAR OF WORLD; these are his biggest films since the 90's,MUNICH being the exception; because he was making his own DIRTY DOZEN, though flawed in many aspects. Find anything you like or have fond memories ? Im interested in his TIN project, but only because of Jackson's involvement, who I think is the old 'Berg reincarnated.
 
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tenebre
11:17AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Still not happy.
Even with Speilberg attached, Smith's interference is bound to doom the film. He has a knack for joining films and then the scripts losing their edge. This was the case with I Am Legend, I Robot, even Hancock to some degree. I wouldn't be surprised if it was his decision to bring Akiva Goldsman for the rewrites of I Am Legend.



He seems to have something against great ideas for...
Even with Speilberg attached, Smith's interference is bound to doom the film. He has a knack for joining films and then the scripts losing their edge. This was the case with I Am Legend, I Robot, even Hancock to some degree. I wouldn't be surprised if it was his decision to bring Akiva Goldsman for the rewrites of I Am Legend.



He seems to have something against great ideas for movies (or novels) and thinks he can do it better than the first guy. His intereference in I Robot hurt Alex Proyas' reputation, and I Am Legend probably shortened Francis Lawrence's film career.



From Will Smith's new movies it seems he started a trend with I Am Legend and is intent on going from a one-guy-who-can-save the world motif in his career to a martyr motif, ala Mel Gibson, same size ego and replace Traditionalist Catholic with Scientologist.



Unfortunately whereas Mel Gibson has talent (can actually act), Will Smith has...wait, what does Will Smith have?
 
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plissken2013
11:04AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Dear Mr. Protosevich...
fuck you.



P.S.: you can say the same to Mr $mith and Mr. $teven $pielberg.
fuck you.



P.S.: you can say the same to Mr $mith and Mr. $teven $pielberg.
 
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Brendan M.
10:40AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
No
I don't want to exist in a world where this movie exists.
I don't want to exist in a world where this movie exists.
 
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mathuVSmathu
10:19AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
F this!
i just threw up a little in my mouth...



..no...



wait..



a lot.
i just threw up a little in my mouth...



..no...



wait..



a lot.
 
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pedestrianREX
10:13AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
SCHINDLER'S LIST, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and BAD BOYS aren't family movies; but they follow in line with traditional, widely held values. Catch the bad guy, save the good people. The violence isn't appropriate for young kids, but the topics and morals work for anyone.



But something at the end of OLDBOY is so subversive, so very much against the family dynamic, that it just can't...
SCHINDLER'S LIST, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and BAD BOYS aren't family movies; but they follow in line with traditional, widely held values. Catch the bad guy, save the good people. The violence isn't appropriate for young kids, but the topics and morals work for anyone.



But something at the end of OLDBOY is so subversive, so very much against the family dynamic, that it just can't be done by Will Smith. I think he's a good actor, but his image isn't going to correlate with the role. Spielberg might stand a better chance at making this movie right, but he's never been this unwholesome, and frankly I doubt he knows how to pull of something so disagreeable.



I'd love to see a Smith/Spielberg movie. I'm serious, that could be a great Summer tentpole. But this movie is one of the worst (and sadly, typical) things I've ever heard of coming out of Hollywood.
 
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Skellington
9:26AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I didnt know Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan were family friendly movie.



What about the Bad Boys movies, are they for kids ? Sure, kids love the language and the violence.



So yeah, I guess your right, the ending wont be the same, especially since its the core of the entire film.
I didnt know Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan were family friendly movie.



What about the Bad Boys movies, are they for kids ? Sure, kids love the language and the violence.



So yeah, I guess your right, the ending wont be the same, especially since its the core of the entire film.
 
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duke44
8:21AM on 11/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
In case you haven't seen the ending of Oldboy I won't spoil it but with Smith's and Spielberg's family friendly films I don't think their remake will be anything like the original. This is all some of the worst news I've heard being a big fan of the original. Stop remaking good foreign films dammit.
In case you haven't seen the ending of Oldboy I won't spoil it but with Smith's and Spielberg's family friendly films I don't think their remake will be anything like the original. This is all some of the worst news I've heard being a big fan of the original. Stop remaking good foreign films dammit.
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