Smith talks Oldboy | Movie News

Smith talks Oldboy
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by: Omar Aviles Nov. 24, 2008

Smith talks Oldboy | Movie News When news broke of Will Smith and Steven Spielberg teaming up to do a remake of OLDBOY, the intensely, unapologetically brutal and brilliant Korean film of the same name, everyone understandably shouted a collective "WTF?!?" and cursed the heavens knowing a Smith/Spielberg remake is basically the equivalent of a Disney remake. However, the folks over at "Film School Rejects" recently spoke with Smith and he mentioned that they're not really remaking Chan-wook Park’s film but adapting the original comic on which it's based. Says Big Willy, "We’re looking at that right now. Not the film though, it’s the original source material. There’s the original comics of ‘Oldboy’ that they made the first film from. And that’s what we’re working from, not an adaptation of the film…" Does that make it any better? Not really, but at least they're not trying to turn Park's film into a family friendly franchise.

Source: FSR

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Extra Tidbit: What are the chances of there being an "aww, hell naww!" in this movie?

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Jaybro7
8:18AM on 12/13/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Number 5:

Close my IMDB?? Did I even reference anything that I could've gotten off of IMDB? No. You're the one who referenced a fucking movie directed by Alex Winters. Why don't you close YOUR IMDB..

Also, yes, pretty fucking arrogant of you to say that its okay to TRASH American Classics because "everyone has seen them anyways". What does that even mean? Sorry, but I'm American and proud
Number 5:

Close my IMDB?? Did I even reference anything that I could've gotten off of IMDB? No. You're the one who referenced a fucking movie directed by Alex Winters. Why don't you close YOUR IMDB..

Also, yes, pretty fucking arrogant of you to say that its okay to TRASH American Classics because "everyone has seen them anyways". What does that even mean? Sorry, but I'm American and proud of it and if some Jerk Off in Asia decides he wants to remake Pulp Fiction, well sorry, but Ima lash out, just like YOU ALL are doing about Spielberg "remaking" Old Boy.

They are using the source material. Were you okay with the new 3:10to Yuma?? The one with Bale and Crow? It was already an EXCELLENT movie back in the 60's. Guess what? Mangold decided to use the ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL (short story by Elmore Leonard) and do another one. It came out great. BOTH versions are great.

By the way, that profile picture you have is charming. Looks like someone tried to smack some common sense into your fat head. Seems they failed, but at least they left a reminder...
 
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luke319
8:05PM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Good call, numberFIVE
If somebody says something you disagree with, justy bring up some irrelevant fact about an 80's director and accuse them of being a noob or poser that'll definitely prove your point...

Basically you're saying it's okay for Asians to remake American films because all of the Asians have seen the original film to begin with. I disagree agree with that because:

A) Many of the asian remakes are
If somebody says something you disagree with, justy bring up some irrelevant fact about an 80's director and accuse them of being a noob or poser that'll definitely prove your point...

Basically you're saying it's okay for Asians to remake American films because all of the Asians have seen the original film to begin with. I disagree agree with that because:

A) Many of the asian remakes are based on american indie or cult films that never got a theatrical release in asia to begin with, so in a lot of these cases, no, the audience is not familiar with the original. For instance when kaanta came out in india they were probably less familiar with reservoir dogs than americans are with oldboy, and yet nobody complained. Plus assuming that Asians are familiar with a film just because it's a "big american film" is pretty arrogant to begin with.

B) I wouldn't agree with this anyway, because even when it's americans remaking well-known american films they same complaints are still brought up. It has nothing to do with whether the original film is well-known or not, many people are just adverse to remakes. It's like Padster said, a remake isn't going to do anything to ruin the quality of the original, if anything it'll help to promote it and win it new fans.
 
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moptopcharlie
1:31PM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Villian
If Smith plays the Villian I really could see this working...It would be such a stretch for him as an actor, then cast another actor in the main role.
If Smith plays the Villian I really could see this working...It would be such a stretch for him as an actor, then cast another actor in the main role.
 
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HoyleHaw
9:29AM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I think, because what little I understand of the manga, there could be some real potential. Least not as twisted(?) as the movie. Just don't, please, call it "Oldboy," for clarity. But I think it could be actually quite good, in a [link]s-masterpiece kinda way.
I think, because what little I understand of the manga, there could be some real potential. Least not as twisted(?) as the movie. Just don't, please, call it "Oldboy," for clarity. But I think it could be actually quite good, in a [link]s-masterpiece kinda way.
 
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ThePadster
4:21AM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Guys! Chill....
Puh lease. Guys, what's all the agro for? What the hell difference does a remake make to our movie lovin lives? I'll tell you one big one that I'm sure you all thrive on:

When it comes out you get to speak to the non movie educated about how visually fantastic the Korean original is and how much darker it is and then you can go into a quick lecture on Korean flicks in general like The Host or
Puh lease. Guys, what's all the agro for? What the hell difference does a remake make to our movie lovin lives? I'll tell you one big one that I'm sure you all thrive on:

When it comes out you get to speak to the non movie educated about how visually fantastic the Korean original is and how much darker it is and then you can go into a quick lecture on Korean flicks in general like The Host or the rest of the Vengeance Trilogy.

I mean come on, all you guys live for this shit. Without remakes and sequels we'd have nothing to talk about.

If it sucks it sucks, it does nothing to take away from the original, it only publicises it (which promotes Chan Wook Park in Hollywood which is a good thing).

And if it rocks, hell ya. We can look forward to a sequel or prequel an the bitchin can begin again, ha ha.
 
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numberFIVE
3:21AM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
@ luke319, Jaybro7
luke319: The Magnificent Seven, A Fistful of Dollars, The Departed? Did you just become a serious film fan in the last month? That's adorable, dude. Hey, did you know that Alex Winter (Bill from the 'Bill & Ted' flicks) directed a film that was hailed by NYT and Entertainment Weekly as one of the ten best comedies of the 1990s? No? Then quit reporting old news, kid, like the rest of us are
luke319: The Magnificent Seven, A Fistful of Dollars, The Departed? Did you just become a serious film fan in the last month? That's adorable, dude. Hey, did you know that Alex Winter (Bill from the 'Bill & Ted' flicks) directed a film that was hailed by NYT and Entertainment Weekly as one of the ten best comedies of the 1990s? No? Then quit reporting old news, kid, like the rest of us are idiots and fools.

Jaybro7: Nobody cares about Asian remakes of American films because Hollywood is the largest multimedia entity, and even if a film is remade it's probably already been in their cinemas. If not, because it's a niche market, equivalent to US television dubbing and editing "Godzilla". Geez, is that actually a serious question you asked? AS THE LARGEST MULTIMEDIA SOURCE IN THE WORLD WE HAVE A DUTY TO PRESERVE THE ARTISTIC INTEGRITY OF EXISTING WORKS AND MAKE THE BEST WE CAN, WHEN WE CAN. Are you seriously talking about Asian remakes of US films? Hey, what about Bollywood's remake of "My Own Private Idaho"? *shakes head in disappointment at you* Close your IMDb, it's not real.
 
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oxidant11
3:13AM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I am fine with both of them making this film, but i will be upset if will smith is to play the lead because he drastically wrong for the part, I think gary oldman would be amazing!
I am fine with both of them making this film, but i will be upset if will smith is to play the lead because he drastically wrong for the part, I think gary oldman would be amazing!
 
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Jaybro7
2:21AM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Is that the best extra tidbit you can come up with? Seriously, the "Aww hell naw" joke is so old now. Get some new material. Will Smith is a good actor. How many fucking times does he have to prove this??

I'll admit, going from the source material IS basically remaking the movie, since that to was also from the comics, but, I still think this is good news.

And why is everyone worried
Is that the best extra tidbit you can come up with? Seriously, the "Aww hell naw" joke is so old now. Get some new material. Will Smith is a good actor. How many fucking times does he have to prove this??

I'll admit, going from the source material IS basically remaking the movie, since that to was also from the comics, but, I still think this is good news.

And why is everyone worried they're turing this into a "family" movie?? Where the fuck did that come from? I've heard that on other sites too. What, does Smith and Spielberg only do family films??

definitely agree... Why is it ok for Asians to remake American classics but god forbid a talented director/actor decide to make a film originating in Asia. Give me a break...
 
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luke319
12:39AM on 11/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Completely agree with Beenthere
Yeah, why the heck doesn't anybody care when asians remake american films and yet everybody freaks out whenever the americans remake a foreign one? I mean they remade Reservoir Dogs and nobody cared, but now that they want to remake Oldboy it's the end of the world. Hey guess what, The Magnificent Seven was a remake of an Asian film, so were the A Fistful of Dollars and the Departed and they were
Yeah, why the heck doesn't anybody care when asians remake american films and yet everybody freaks out whenever the americans remake a foreign one? I mean they remade Reservoir Dogs and nobody cared, but now that they want to remake Oldboy it's the end of the world. Hey guess what, The Magnificent Seven was a remake of an Asian film, so were the A Fistful of Dollars and the Departed and they were all amazing films and the cinematic world is better off for them being made.

I also agree with the movie guy, what's with all this "Spielberg remaking it is like Disney remaking it" crap? Has nobody seen Munich or Schindler's List? If you have, please explain to me why the director who made them is somehow unqualified to handle this project.
 
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ChinoMoreno7
10:54PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
"I fucked my daughter?! Awww hell naww!"
"I fucked my daughter?! Awww hell naww!"
 
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Tweek
9:29PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The Wretched
If anything they'll be taking a dump on manga.

If anything they'll be taking a dump on manga.

 
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the movie guy
8:39PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
When Spielberg wants to go Dark, he goes Dark. What's all this "watered down" bullshit? Did anyone even see any of Spielberg's R - Rated films?

The guy can do Dark.

As for Smith, I think he's proven lately that he can take a film seriously.

Pull your heads out of your asses, naysayers, this paring (albeit, with the right writer) has Oscar-hopeful written all over it.

(And don't start
When Spielberg wants to go Dark, he goes Dark. What's all this "watered down" bullshit? Did anyone even see any of Spielberg's R - Rated films?

The guy can do Dark.

As for Smith, I think he's proven lately that he can take a film seriously.

Pull your heads out of your asses, naysayers, this paring (albeit, with the right writer) has Oscar-hopeful written all over it.

(And don't start with the Oscars. They can go Dark too.)
 
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GGear0323
8:17PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i mean the [REC] remake was a shot for shot remake in english. .... what was the point. that is the kind of shit i hate.
i mean the [REC] remake was a shot for shot remake in english. .... what was the point. that is the kind of shit i hate.
 
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GGear0323
8:13PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
asiasn remaking asian films isnt a big deal because for the most part, when one movie is a big success in one asain market, it is a success in the others. we are talking about the big films, the big budget, top grossing kind. we have to take every big film that comes out of there and remake it. besides, they dont really 'westernize' anyway, they just change the story around to appease to American
asiasn remaking asian films isnt a big deal because for the most part, when one movie is a big success in one asain market, it is a success in the others. we are talking about the big films, the big budget, top grossing kind. we have to take every big film that comes out of there and remake it. besides, they dont really 'westernize' anyway, they just change the story around to appease to American sentiments. (aka, for the most part, they water it down) then they throw a big name in there to get people to watch it. something like the Departed you could say was 'westernized' they changed aspects to fit the mentality of the Mob and the Boston Police (who dont act the same as the Triad and the HK police that is for sure) but that is about it.
 
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Beenthere
7:35PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
So it's o.k.
for Asian directors to re-make American and European films (especially in HK) and it's o.k. for one Asian director to re-make another Asian director film (Koreans doing Japanese or Thai) but it's bad to re-make Asian films in Hollywood? If it's possible to westernize them why not?
for Asian directors to re-make American and European films (especially in HK) and it's o.k. for one Asian director to re-make another Asian director film (Koreans doing Japanese or Thai) but it's bad to re-make Asian films in Hollywood? If it's possible to westernize them why not?
 
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lalex81
6:00PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Oldboy had a great premise (probably coming from the original source) but wasn't a great film... waaaay overrated.

i don't know if Spielberg's film will be better... but it certainly could be better.
Oldboy had a great premise (probably coming from the original source) but wasn't a great film... waaaay overrated.

i don't know if Spielberg's film will be better... but it certainly could be better.
 
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sparkholiday
5:44PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
At least an Uwe Boll Oldboy would keep the brutality. And nobody would see it, so it wouldn't really matter if it existed.
At least an Uwe Boll Oldboy would keep the brutality. And nobody would see it, so it wouldn't really matter if it existed.
 
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Sonny Corleone
5:19PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
TO FRANK COSTELLO
If you had to choose anyone to write the script for an Oldboy movie you would bring on Mark Protosevich, the guy who wrote Poseidon and I Am Legend? In my mind, that equals a fucking travesty.

TO AJJARA
You didn't like Oldboy because of the ending? You felt like you had seen the ending before!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
TO FRANK COSTELLO
If you had to choose anyone to write the script for an Oldboy movie you would bring on Mark Protosevich, the guy who wrote Poseidon and I Am Legend? In my mind, that equals a fucking travesty.

TO AJJARA
You didn't like Oldboy because of the ending? You felt like you had seen the ending before!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
 
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Frank Costello
4:47PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Calm Down
I think everybody is forgetting a very important part that might actually make this a good movie, that being Mark Protosevich being brought on by Big Willie himself to write the script. If I had to choose anyone to write the script for this movie, it would be him.
I think everybody is forgetting a very important part that might actually make this a good movie, that being Mark Protosevich being brought on by Big Willie himself to write the script. If I had to choose anyone to write the script for this movie, it would be him.
 
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GioFace
3:20PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
hey, america has dominated the film industry since the early 1900's. we always use to show our films in every country while about 20% of the films shown in foreign countries actually came from said country. America has always dominated the film business, and while it sucks that they're remaking every foreign movie they can get their hands on, it probably wont change. i hold oldboy near and dear
hey, america has dominated the film industry since the early 1900's. we always use to show our films in every country while about 20% of the films shown in foreign countries actually came from said country. America has always dominated the film business, and while it sucks that they're remaking every foreign movie they can get their hands on, it probably wont change. i hold oldboy near and dear to my heart, but i honestly see this no way resembling chan-wook parks film. Steven spielberg and will smith? i have a feeling this movie is gonna be completely different than the oldboy we all know and love.will smith got a lifetime pass with me for fresh prince so i'll wait to see a trailer before i bash the movie.
 
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ajjara
3:20PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i'm down
i didn't like the original old boy all that much mostly cause of the end (no spoilers) i had seen it before but i will watch the film because i think they can do a good job

p.s. will smith is a good actor, i hate people saying he's not because he makes action films, he just knows but people want
i didn't like the original old boy all that much mostly cause of the end (no spoilers) i had seen it before but i will watch the film because i think they can do a good job

p.s. will smith is a good actor, i hate people saying he's not because he makes action films, he just knows but people want
 
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The Wretched
3:11PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Fresh Prince of Stale Air
I don't even know what to comment on this travesty.
Hey Smith/Spielberg while your taking a dump on Asian Cinema why not make a remake of Ichi the Killer also.
Why did I even mention it....

P.S. Guess it's better than Uwe Boll making it...LOL...now that's funny.
I don't even know what to comment on this travesty.
Hey Smith/Spielberg while your taking a dump on Asian Cinema why not make a remake of Ichi the Killer also.
Why did I even mention it....

P.S. Guess it's better than Uwe Boll making it...LOL...now that's funny.
 
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luke319
3:07PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
luke319
Funny, I remember when Spielberg said he was doing War of the Worlds everybody said "what you can't remake that, it's a classic" and he said "no, I'm not remaking the movie I'm making it based off the book" and guess what it turned out to be more faithful to the source material than the original. I'm not saying that this will be the same type of situation, but come on Will Smith might be a BS'er
Funny, I remember when Spielberg said he was doing War of the Worlds everybody said "what you can't remake that, it's a classic" and he said "no, I'm not remaking the movie I'm making it based off the book" and guess what it turned out to be more faithful to the source material than the original. I'm not saying that this will be the same type of situation, but come on Will Smith might be a BS'er but Spielberg is not. So hate Smith's involvement all you want but let's at least show some faith in Spielberg (before anyone brings up Indiana Jones IV as a reason why this movie will suck, remember Lucas is the one that ruined that movie, Spielberg wanted to use Darabont's script).

Oh, and I also heard this news last week.

 
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GGear0323
2:26PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i think fans of foreign films in general dont like the fact that the US really hates to bring over foreign films at all really. almost every big Hollywood film is brought to other countries (in theaters) through either dubs or subtitles and they still bring in the cash. why do we have to always remake a film before it is brought over here. fans of a certain film just hate the idea that for the
i think fans of foreign films in general dont like the fact that the US really hates to bring over foreign films at all really. almost every big Hollywood film is brought to other countries (in theaters) through either dubs or subtitles and they still bring in the cash. why do we have to always remake a film before it is brought over here. fans of a certain film just hate the idea that for the most part, people will now think of the remake before the original when thinking about that film. it does kind of feel like a replacement in a way. when i like a film, naturally i want other people to like it as well, not some bastardization that someone felt needed to be made in order to make the film more accessible.
 
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abcdehacademy
2:23PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
BULL FUCKING SHIT
im not 100% opposed to the idea of remakes for any film. I would be ok with a korean remake of "fight club" disney-pixar animation style if the filmmakers had something to say...but I HATE being bulshitted, and this is bullshit...

claiming that their working from the "original source material" is tantamount to saying that they want to capitalize on the REPUTATION of the Park Chan Wook film
im not 100% opposed to the idea of remakes for any film. I would be ok with a korean remake of "fight club" disney-pixar animation style if the filmmakers had something to say...but I HATE being bulshitted, and this is bullshit...

claiming that their working from the "original source material" is tantamount to saying that they want to capitalize on the REPUTATION of the Park Chan Wook film without being held accountable to maintaining the film's 'unapologetic brutal brilliance' as mr. Omar put it above...this is clearly horseshit
 
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Henry Lee Lucas
1:58PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i have no interest in this remake, and i'm a fan of the original. instead of bitching about it, i just wont pay to see it.
i have no interest in this remake, and i'm a fan of the original. instead of bitching about it, i just wont pay to see it.
 
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numberFIVE
1:49PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Nothing is made better, and I think the initial rage wasn't about the film being remade, but something trying to take it's place.

Also, this news was released last week.
Nothing is made better, and I think the initial rage wasn't about the film being remade, but something trying to take it's place.

Also, this news was released last week.
 
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writer19
1:46PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
so this thing is for real?
so this thing is for real?
 
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Hunglowman
1:46PM on 11/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Does Will still "awww hell naw"?

I'll tell you one thing, he needs to chill with the nude scenes.
Does Will still "awww hell naw"?

I'll tell you one thing, he needs to chill with the nude scenes.
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