Smith, Spielberg, and Protosevich May Unite For Oldboy

Is it weird that I feel sort of okay about Will Smith playing the lead in the American remake of Oldboy?

The original Oldboy, directed by South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook, involves a man who is held prisoner in a hotel room for fifteen years, and who seeks revenge on his captors after being released. I highly recommend seeing it, though the subject matter is often rather disturbing. Let me put it this way: it's not a feelgood film.

That makes me worry a bit about the prospect of Steven Spielberg directing; Spielberg's frequent optimism might clash with what is undeniably a very dark story. And I can't say I'm especially thrilled at the idea of screenwriter Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, Poseidon) penning the script.

Still, Will Smith has delivered some fairly admirable performances in serious roles lately, and weirdly, I can actually see him playing the main character in Oldboy.

Worst Idea Ever: Poseidon Screenwriter to Write Oldboy Remake [Slashfilm]