Weinsteins Gear up Shanghai and Seven Samurai Remake
Asian Movie News, Seven Samurai (Remake 2009) Movie, Shanghai (2010) Movie — By Nix on April 15, 2008
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.
“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.
5 Comments
Don’t even go there home slice…As a self professed Akira Kurosawa maniac I find this news distastfull to say the least. The only solace I find is in the fact that I am sure history will not look kindly on this stagnant,creatively bankrupt period of remakes. Who do I blame? Everyone. Especially young people who refuse to appreciate anything not created in their immediate time frame. And I’m not even 150 years old like I sound..I just believe great films exist in a both timely and timeless place..and that..well..is what makes them great.
I mean seriously..I have a framed Seven Samurai poster in my living room. When will film companies stop trying to hurt me?
WFT! No, this is just bull$hit. Remake Oceans 11, fine. Remake Batman, fine. F’n remake Gone with the f**king wind, but leave Kurosawa alone!!!!!!!
This is absolutely insane.. the forbidden kingdom simply introduced a ralph macchio-esque american character into a classic Eastern story.. this made no sense.. it makes no sense to re-write a classic story set in a distinctly unique time and place (from a historically significant aspect) and infiltrate the legitimacy of the story with international characters who wouldn’t have been anywhere near the place in that time span.. and the new film is to feature an American, European and Asian cast? Let me guess, Kanbei and Kikuchiyo will be the white Americans who save the day..
If they are going to insist on making this ridiculous remake they should at least have the decency to give the film a different name. Sorry Kurosawa Jnr.. but this is a disaster waiting to happen.
No, not Seven Samurai…It’s a classic. It should be left alone.