Nov 19 2008 'Poseidon' Writer Taking a Crack at 'Oldboy'

Mark Protosevich, writer of The Cell, The Poseidon, and The I Am Legend, is being courted by Steven Spielberg and Will Smith to write their ill-conceived Oldboy remake. From the Hollywood Reporter:

In a potential high-profile star-writer reunion, "I Am Legend" co-scribe Mark Protosevich is in early talks to pen the remake of "Old Boy" that boxoffice king and "Legend" star Will Smith is developing with director Steven Spielberg.

DreamWorks secured the remake rights from Mandate Pictures, which also is staying involved in the project. Although the studio was meeting with several high-profile writers to do the adaptation, Smith invited Protosevich to meet with Spielberg on the project.

In case you're unfamiliar with Protosevich's writing, here are some samples of what the IMDb has deemed "memorable quotes" from films he's written.

From Poseidon:

Jennifer Ramsey: [walks to poker table with Christian] We're going downstairs now. Robert Ramsey: Ok, have fun... Hey Jen... Jennifer Ramsey: [looks down at her cleavage] The twins? Dad...

Elena: I feel like I know your dad.
Jennifer Ramsey: He was mayor of New York for a while, back when I was a kid.
Elena: Cool.
Jennifer Ramsey: It wasn't.

From The Cell:

Carl Stargher: Why are you here... don't lie. Catharine Deane: I came to help you. Carl Stargher: Bitch, whore... Catharine Deane: You sound like your father. Carl Stargher: [in a monster's voice] HE WAS NOTHING, HE IS NOTHING!

Carl Stargher: Me got boy! Boy me got!

And from I Am Legend:

Neville: Eat your vegetables. Don't just push 'em around, eat 'em. I ain't playin'!

Neville: I like Shrek.

So, in addition to Will Smith starring in an Oldboy remake, this is the kind of writing you can expect. Because out-of-context quotes (some of which may have been added in re-writes by other writers) are always an accurate test of someone's writing ability.

Nov 7 2008 Spielberg Remaking 'Oldboy'--with WILL SMITH

Steven Spielberg (Duel) is in talks to remake the Korean film Oldboy with Will Smith (co-rapper, Summertime) in the lead. Not a joke:

Steven Spielberg and Will Smith are in early discussions to collaborate on a remake of Chan Wook-park's "Oldboy." DreamWorks is in the process of securing the remake rights, and the new pic will be distributed by Universal.

In the 2003 Korean original, a man gets kidnapped and held in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. Suddenly, he's released and given money, a cell phone and clothes and is set on a path to discover who destroyed his life so he can take revenge.

Spielberg had been looking for an opportunity to make a film with Smith, who would play the kidnapped man if all the pieces fall into place. Spielberg is looking for a writer to begin the development process.

If you haven't seen Oldboy, it's really good, and don't get me wrong, I still like Steven Spielberg despite the Indiana Jones incident, but this like somebody saying, steak is really good, and I really like milkshakes, so I'm going to make a steak milkshake (starring Will Smith).

(Thanks, Chris)

Spielberg, Smith in talks for 'Oldboy' [Variety]