Josh Brolin to Headline Spike Lee's 'Oldboy' Reboot?

Josh Brolin's rumored involvement in Spike Lee's remake of the Korean film Oldboy (2003) is a reality today, as Deadline reports the star has officially landed the lead.  The original version, now considered a cult classic, was directed by Chan-wook Park.  The film starred Min-sik Choi as a man kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years without an explanation, who's released and only has five days to find those responsible (the same role Brolin will now fill in Lee's updated Oldboy).

The Mandate Pictures reboot, adapted by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend) who will also co-produce, is scheduled to begin shooting in March.  As for Brolin, he recently wrapped up production on Men in Black 3 with Will Smith, who oddly enough was pegged to star in an Oldboy remake that Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks considered making back in 2008.  We all know how well that one worked out.

I haven't seen the original Old Boy, which I know is completely unexcusable.  So, I'm not sure how to react to the news of Brolin receiving the role.  I like Lee and loved his past efforts with the Inside Man, Summer of Sam and of course, Do the Right Thing.  I also enjoyed Brolin's performances in No Country for Old Men, True Grit and Goonies, when I was a kid.

How do you feel about an Oldboy reboot?  Are Spike Lee and Josh Brolin suitable choices? 

Comments

[andrew]

this is very unexcusable. see the movie first, damn. its incredible.

[Patrick Fancher]

Will do. I see it's available to watch instantly on Netflix, sweet.

[The Spam Master]

You should change the title so it say "remake" and not "reboot".

Josh Brolin is a great actor and works great as Oh Dae-Su. I don't think the movie needs to be remade, though. People need to learn to read fucking subtitles, the film is perfect as it is.