Spike Lee Is Looking at ‘Oldboy’
We consider ourselves to be rational, reasonable film observers, but that goes out the window when it comes to Spike Lee. We absolutely love the guy, even if his films aren't always that great. We know "Miracle at St. Anna" and "She Hate Me" don't work at all, but even they've got that three-ideas-a-minute style of Spike's that makes them far more interesting than other people's good movies. But facts are facts: The man hasn't had a hit since 2006's "Inside Man," and although his career isn't exactly based around box office he'd probably prefer not to have any more duds for a while.
On the heels of news that "Inside Man 2" isn't happening, there's a rumor -- or is it a whisper? Which one is more definite? -- that he's interested in doing a remake of "Oldboy," a bloody revenge thriller from South Korean director Park Chan-wook that was a sensation at Cannes back in 2004, adored by Quentin Tarantino, and most infamous for one particularly gruesome scene involving a live octopus. (Seriously, if you click that link, know that you are going to see something you can't un-see.)
A few years ago, "Fast Five" director Justin Lin was interested in remaking it, then Steven Spielberg and Will Smith took a crack at it, but that never happened either. (Interestingly, Smith's version was actually going to be a remake of the original comics that inspired "Oldboy.") It's unclear if Lee, if this movie even sees the light of day, would be closer to the comics or Park's film, which concerns a businessman who is kidnapped and locked away for 15 years by mysterious individuals. After being freed, the man goes on a murderous rampage to find out who was behind his imprisonment.
Would an American "Oldboy" be the hit Lee "needs"? Maybe, but as much as we love the guy we understand people don't flock to a movie because he directed it. Looking at his box office track record, he may need Denzel Washington to tag along -- or the Kings of Comedy.
BREAKING: Spike Lee In Talks To Direct OLDBOY Remake [Twitch]
