There was a lot of annoyance amongst fans about Hollywood’s decision to remake Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy (initially with Spielberg directing, but now with Spike Lee). It’s difficult to imagine they’ll be that much happier about the news that Charlize Theron’s production company is partnering with CJ Entertainment and Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures to produce an adaptation of Chan-wook’s Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.
Theron first showed interest in a remake in 2008, but it’s only now the project is moving forward and she’s agreed to star as well as produce, with William Monahan (The Departed) handling the script. Lady Vengeance is the story of a woman who, for reasons of her own, completes a prison term for a murder she did not commit, reemerging to punish the killer and avenge the dead.
Monahan has commented that his take, “Will be very American – and very unexpected. Park is a genius; it’s the Everest of adaptations and I’ve got blood in my teeth to do it.”
There’s no news on when this film might go intro production, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they wait to see how Spike Lee’s Oldboy does when it’s released released late 2013 before they decide whether to go ahead. (Source: THR)