Weinsteins Gear up Shanghai and Seven Samurai Remake

Remember a few months ago when the Weinsteins (pictured, left) announced that they were going to be putting close to $300 million into an “Asian fund” to make Asian-based movies with American and Asian stars? Well, they’ve now revealed two of their projects: “Shanghai” from “1408″ director Mikael Hafstrom, and a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” (pictured, below). Yes, a remake of the legendary master’s legendary movie. I shit you not. Read on for more details — if you dare.

Variety:

“Shanghai” will be directed by Mikael Hafstrom (”1408,” “Derailed”) from a script by Hossein Amini (”The Wings of the Dove”). The story, set in 1941 China, will star John Cusack, Gong Li and Ken Watanabe. Shooting will begin May 5 in London, then move to Thailand and possibly China. The film will be released in North America on Christmas Day.

“Seven Samurai” will start shooting in the fourth quarter for release in 2009. The cast will feature American, European and Asian stars, and a director is in advanced talks with TWC.

Why remake “Seven Samurai”? Why is the sky blue, would be Hollywood’s reply. Cause it’s there, so it must be remade. Or something just as moronic as that.

IMDB.com has John Fusco, who also penned the Weinsteins’ “The Forbidden Kingdom”, already writing the script for the “Seven Samurai” remake.

But you know what? As tragic as the news of a “Seven Samurai” remake is, I can’t help but wonder … could it…?

Naaaaaaaaaah.