Oldboy Remake Faces Legal Hullabaloo

Posted by David Baxter (dbaxter@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 30, 2009

oldboyremake

It seems that lawyers are teaming with movie fans in an attempt to derail the proposed Oldboy remake. Put simply, the publishers of the original manga are suing the producers of the 2003 film, claiming that they had no right to pimp out the rights to whomever they pleased. Adding to the drama, producers Kim Dong-Ju and Big Egg (best name ever?), have disappeared. I think we should probably check the local hotels for men trapped in suitcases.

Even with this legal hullabaloo, Reuters is reporting that the remake is moving forward. Of course they stress that this won’t be a remake of the film, but an adaptation of the manga, which appears to be very similar sans a couple of extreme detours. You would think this would help the manga creators in the court case though. Nonetheless, move ahead it will, with Will Smith still attached and Steven Spielberg still set to direct. This is alongside ten other films, according to IMDB so maybe don’t hold your breath yet (or eat an octopus for that matter).

I tend to disagree with the majority of film-y people, as I feel that an Oldboy remake wouldn’t be the worst thing. Not that I condone plundering any film. It’s just that in this case, the story is so interesting that I’d like to see it ‘re-tooled.’ It would be a completely different film, and if it causes one person to go seek out the original, then surely it’s a positive. We’ll always have Chan-Wook Park’s version, so why not divorce it from this new version, and see what happens.

What do you think? Would you welcome the new Oldboy?

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PHiL

I think I'd be more worried when there's legal trouble over eddie Murphy's The Golden Child, remake.
Who ever fights over that crap is seriously missing some marbles.

herculesisadore

Here here..

Patrick

Three words: "I Am Legend"

Not only did that NOT cause people to seek out the original work, but it's probably ruined any chance in the next 20 years of anyone making the book into a movie. The title is tainted now.

herculesisadore

If that were true, someone wouldn't be trying to make the "tainted" Oldboy graphic novel series into a movie.

I Am Legend. Great film. Also I know some people who read the book as soon as the movie came out. I wouldn't have even known it was a book if not for the film. So saying that didn't happen is just wrong.

yuri_vaultin

I would have little problem with a remake providing it had Tarrantino and Benicio Del Toro attached... But we're dealing with Speilberg and Wil Smith - you know they are going to "Hollywood it" and find any and all reason to get Shia LaBeouf involved. It makes me sick.

capree bailey

damned right! tarrantino zombie or rodrigues' asses would do it some justice but speilberg.........hell no.

herculesisadore

Are you saying that they could do it with just their asses?

herculesisadore

Maybe you should take some Tums.

capree bailey

fuck no! why does american write fuck up some of the best asian movies........did you see the uninvited...or the tale of two sister! that shit was shameful..... i love movies..i wish i was a critic really. but don't mess up the stroies. yes they could go deeper in the plots...we not scared nor or the kids. shit don't take kids to r- rated movies. but will going for the pg stamp....man...you know they are fucking over a great movie.

herculesisadore

You are a critic. You just don't get paid.

Oldboy Remake Faces Legal Hullabaloo

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