FilmDistrict announced today that it has acquired US distribution rights to Good Universe’s Oldboy, the remake of the highly-acclaimed South Korean suspense film. The movie stars Academy Award® nominee Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sharlto Copley. The Spike Lee directed film is produced by Roy Lee and Doug Davison via Vertigo Entertainment and Nathan Kahane on behalf of Good Universe. Peter Schlessel, FilmDistrict’s CEO, Joe Drake of Good Universe, and John Middleton will executive produce. Mark Protosevich wrote the adapted screenplay and is co-producing. Audrey Chon and Matt Leonetti are overseeing the film for Good Universe. The film is also a 40 Acres & A Mule production.
FilmDistrict’s Peter Schlessel stated, “Spike Lee is the right filmmaker to reimagine and put his touch onto arguably one of the most talked about thrillers in recent memory. The cast that he and producers Nathan, Joe, Roy and Doug have put together is sure to elevate the material and engage audiences. FilmDistrict is proud to be releasing one of the first films from Good Universe here in the U.S.”
Good Universe’s Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane shared, “Nothing thrills us more than to partner with our longtime friend Peter and the exceptional team at FilmDistrict.”
Oldboy follows the story of an advertising executive (Josh Brolin) who is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement without any indication of his captors motive. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his bizarre and torturous punishment only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment. His quest for revenge leads him into an ill-fated relationship with a young social worker (Elizabeth Olsen) and ultimately to an illusive man (Sharlto Copley) who allegedly holds the key to his salvation.
The original highly-acclaimed South Korean film, released in 2003 and directed by Chan-wook Park, won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
