Spike Lee’s Oldboy acquired by FilmDistrict, official synopsis unveiled

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

FilmDistrict announced today that it has acquired US distribution rights to Good Universe’s OLDBOY, the remake of the highly-acclaimed South Korean suspense film. The studio is a major up and comer, having brought us such flicks as DRIVE, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK and INSIDIOUS, while getting ready to spring highly-anticipated titles like LOOPER and EVIL DEAD soon.

FilmDistrict’s Peter Schlessel stated, “Spike Lee is the right filmmaker to reimagine and put his touch onto arguably one of the most talked about thrillers in recent memory. The cast that he and producers Nathan, Joe, Roy and Doug have put together is sure to elevate the material and engage audiences. FilmDistrict is proud to be releasing one of the first films from Good Universe here in the U.S.”

And while anyone familiar with the original film knows what it’s about, it’s still relevant that an official synopsis for the remake has been released:

OLDBOY follows the story of an advertising executive (Josh Brolin) who is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement without any indication of his captor’s motive. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his bizarre and torturous punishment only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment. His quest for revenge leads him into an ill-fated relationship with a young social worker (Elizabeth Olsen) and ultimately to an illusive man (Sharlto Copley) who allegedly holds the key to his salvation.

Still no release date on this one, although we can assume it won’t hit theaters until fall or winter of next year.

Elisabeth Olsen