Zhang Yimou’s Three Guns is a Remake of the Coens’ Blood Simple

Now this should give all the fanboys who like to bitch and moan about Hollywood remaking Asian films fits — Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s originally announced “Amazing Tales: Three Guns” is actually a remake of the Coen Brothers’ 1984 tale of murder called “Blood Simple”. THR got the word from Yimou’s publicist herself, who confirms the remake and that the film’s Chinese title is “San Qiang Pai An Jing Qi, which is roughly translated as “The Stunning Case of the Three Gun Shots”. They should stick with “Amazing Tales: Three Guns”.

The 1984 original starred Frances McDormand (the future Mrs. Joel Coen), John Getz, M. Emmet Walsh, and Dan Hedaya, and followed a Texas bar owner who hires a private detective to kill his wife and her lover. Things don’t go as planned, leading to double crosses and other sticky situations. You know, your usual Coen Brothers stuff.

There is no word on how much the Chinese remake will divert from the original, but what is known is that it will star Chinese actor Sun Honglei, comedian Xiao Shenyang and actress Yan Ni. Filming on “The Stunning Case of the Three Gun Shots” has been in full swing since June 9.

Below: “Is that a gun on the floor or are you just happy to see me?”