The notion of remaking John Woo’s THE KILLER isn’t exactly a new one. Walter Hill tried to launch one for years, with Richard Gere attached – which obviously never materialized – while Woo himself has tried to mobilize a new version for years… But now, the years of shielding it off have come to an end, because it’s just been announced that indeed a remake – in 3D – is ready to go.
Before you get too up in arms over the news, know that Woo himself is still involved and producing via his Lion Rock banner. Korean helmer John H. Lee (A MOMENT TO REMEMBER, SAYING GOODBYE ONE DAY) is directing from a script written by Josh Campbell (?). Lee has been tentatively attached to this remake since 2007, but only now is the film moving forward, with sales company Essential Entertainment jumping on board.
Woo said: “While all my films are special to me, THE KILLER is truly one of my favorites. We are thrilled to reinvent it as an English-language film and know it’s in capable hands by the incredible visual style and tender emotion John H. Lee brings to all his films.”
The film will be shot in English, and Jung Woo-Sung (THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD) will star; the rest of the cast is expected to be announced soon.
Here’s the synopsis for the updated version; should be familiar to anyone who has seen Woo’s classic (with the exception of “LAPD”): Set in present day, an elite Asian assassin risks everything to protect a beautiful singer that he unintentionally blinded, but can only do so with the help of an LAPD detective who is trying to catch him.