Spike Lee to direct "Oldboy" Remake

Hmm, this is interesting news. Mandate Pictures have issued a press release confirming that Spike Lee will indeed helm the American remake of the Chan-Wook Park Korean cult classic "Oldboy" (which is itself based on the Manga of the same name.) American remakes of Asian cinema is usually a mixed bag (at least Departed was good) but I'm hoping they don't fuck this one up. As long as they keep it more serious they should do ok, good luck trying to top that hammer scene though:

"Los Angeles (July 11, 2011) – Mandate Pictures announced today that Spike Lee (Inside Man) will direct OLDBOY, a remake of the highly-acclaimed South Korean film. Mark Protosevich has adapted the screenplay and will co-produce. Roy Lee and Doug Davison (The Departed, The Grudge) will produce. The film is a Vertigo Entertainment/40 Acres & A Mule Production. Mandate President Nathan Kahane will executive produce.

“It’s a great honor to put this special project into the hands of such a gifted writer and iconic director,” said Kahane.

OLDBOY tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned on his daughter’s birthday. For fifteen years, he is held captive, and, upon his release, must begin his journey to find the reason for his imprisonment. He soon finds out that his kidnapper has plans for him more tortuous than his solitary confinement. The original film, released in 2003, directed by Chan-wook Park won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Spike Lee and Mark Protosevich are represented by CAA. Dan Freedman, SVP of business affairs, negotiated the deals for Mandate."

From www.comicbookmovie.com