Seven samurai remake!

Rcuomo

apparently donnie yen, george clooney, and zhang ziyi are in talks to star in a remake of the 1954 original...
this can't be a good idea, im all for giving donnie yen some hollywood roles but i can see them putting a rap soundtrack on this film...
and i where does george fit into this cast?

link - http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/060601j.php

Running Bing

This is the worse news I have heard in weeks. What the **** are these people thinking. All hollywood can spit out is endless sequels(mission empossible 7, x-men 9) and remakes of popular asian movies, its ****ing sickening tbh. The attitude is basically "well nobody is gonna give a **** about some movie in japanese without Tom cruise in it so lets rob the idea remake it with fit looking Americans and make a ****load of money. Im also sick of people using the argument "it encourages people to watch the original", thats bull****. Peoples attitudes towards these films need to be changed. Its the people who need to change not the films. Its one thing to remake a four year old japanese horror movie but messing with a classic and one of the greatest movies ever made is just wrong(and dont mention magnificent seven its a different thing altogether). Its the euivalent of remakeing the Godfather or citizen kane. Very very depressing.

Rcuomo

well it seems they are going to cast quite a few asians in it (tho not japanese) but as i said where does george clooney fit in?
they're probably going to tansplant it to a ghetto in L.A or some sh*t!

shatners basoon

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Can't they just leave old films alone?
What's next, remaking classic albums as opposed just shítting on single songs using cover versions, Damn Them!!!!!!

ChityWest

shatners basoon wrote:

What's next, remaking classic albums as opposed just shítting on single songs using cover versions, Damn Them!!!!!!

Bladerunner remade with marky mark as deckard . .

Rcuomo

marky mark? that sounds promising... and he could chase them around with his prosthetic penis...

ChityWest

I reckon this would be the hollywood choice to do the Rutger Hauer role :

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005260/

Earthhorse

I hope they add an eight samurai to the cast.

I always thought this film could do with more samurai.

J.R.HARTLEY

they already remade it in 1960, it's called the magnificent seven, why do they want to do every idea to the death.

humanji

It's been remade hundreds of times. Last night I got a blast from the past when this was on.

Karl Hungus

You know, I heard about that already. It seem a little too ridiculous to be true though, so I won't head off on a rant.

Besides, wasn't Donnie Yen already in a Seven Samurai remake?

Necronomicon

Karl Hungus wrote:

Besides, wasn't Donnie Yen already in a Seven Samurai remake?

I had heard this was a remake, but I never saw the original so couldn't comment. I posted a review about this film, quite enjoyed it, but not a single person agreed with me

Pigman II

Meh. Can't understand this hatred for remakes? Sure it's probably gonna be a pile of poo, but then no-ones forcing you to watch it. Also it's not as if a crap remake (unlike a crap sequel) can actually affect the standing of the original movie either.

On the upside (in particular wrt to foriegn lingo films) the remake can spread awareness of the original making people learn to appreciate that particular piece of work long after they've forgotten/denounced the remake.

Karl Hungus

Pigman II wrote:

Meh. Can't understand this hatred for remakes? Sure it's probably gonna be a pile of poo, but then no-ones forcing you to watch it. Also it's not as if a crap remake (unlike a crap sequel) can actually affect the standing of the original movie either.

On the upside the remake can spread awareness of the original making people learn to appreciate that particular piece of work long after they've forgotten the remake.

How can a crap sequel take away from a film, and a crap remake not? I don't get it. Surely both cases would be debasement by association?

Pigman II

Karl Hungus wrote:

How can a crap sequel take away from a film, and a crap remake not? I don't get it. Surely both cases would be debasement by association?

Well take the case of The Star Wars Prequels or Matrix 2+3.

Not only are these sequels lesser works than the films that preceded them but it could be argued that their very existance also effects the original films in detrimental ways by, for example, removing fantastical/unexplained elements vital to the originals story.

By comparison an english language remake of Shichinin no samurai can do nothing to affect the integrity of that movie imho. Clooneys Samurai can do nothing to change your opinion of Kurosawa's version, or can it?

Karl Hungus

I've watched the original Star Wars films since the prequels were released, and they did nothing to change my opinion of the originals. Likewise I've watched the Terminator films numerous times since the release of the horrendous abomination that was T3, and the first two are still amazing films.

Rcuomo

is'nt seven swords based on a book some guy wrote years ago? apart from that its not really a remake of seven samarui...
it seems that all the 'remakes' are just using the story in a different setting - the magnificent seven, that crap space film mentioned above - so maybe this remake will actually be a remake. You know set in japan, with chinese/hong kong actors as the samurai - cue the 'memoirs of a geisha casting controversy' part II. They could even get george clooney to play a japanese samurai, just get a little surgery like in that James bond film (with sean connery) set in japan - he'll fit right in....

MonkMuffet

Rcuomo wrote:

is'nt seven swords based on a book some guy wrote years ago? QUOTE]

that was the Book of Five Swords by Myamoto Musashi...who had some good films made about his life (check em' out)...but lets keep that to ourselves or they'll be next for a workover:eek:

Rcuomo

oh right, why did they change it to seven swords?

humanji

Rcuomo wrote:

They could even get george clooney to play a japanese samurai, just get a little surgery like in that James bond film (with sean connery) set in japan - he'll fit right in....

lol, that made me spit out my coffee remembering that. And they thought the makeup of Charlize Theron was good in Monster!

Jimi-Spandex

Is there absolutely no one in Hollywood with an original thought? Are they really that lazy that they have to constantly do remakes and sequels? And they say that its the internet and dvds that are to blame for lower cinema attendances.

Scootay

Rcuomo wrote:

oh right, why did they change it to seven swords?

Seven Swords is a film based in China during the Qing dynasty and not a Seven Samurai remake starring George Clooney.

Running Bing

Pigman II wrote:

Meh. Can't understand this hatred for remakes? Sure it's probably gonna be a pile of poo, but then no-ones forcing you to watch it.

Thats not the point. Many people, including myself, hold films like this very close to heart. When someone decides to do a remake you have to ask yourself what are the reasons? was the original so badly flawed someone feels they can do a better job? I dont think so. Its basically cashing in (or exploiting) the name of the original to make money and that annoys me intensely.

The other aspect is of course lack of creativity and originality. Im not going to watch a seven samuri remake because if I want to watch seven samauri Ill watch seven samauri simple as that. What can a remake offer. Now why not take some of the time, talent(and Donnie yen is one talented guy) and money its gonna take to make the movie and put it into something more productive like young director with an original idea.

Rcuomo

yea sootay, i've seen seven swords & i know it wasnt a remake of seven samurai...

someone said in an earlier post seven swords was based on a book called five swords and i asked why they changed it to seven... that had nothing to do with me thinking seven swords = seven samurai, but thanks anyway

Playboy

Babybing wrote:

Thats not the point. Many people, including myself, hold films like this very close to heart. When someone decides to do a remake you have to ask yourself what are the reasons? was the original so badly flawed someone feels they can do a better job? I dont think so. Its basically cashing in (or exploiting) the name of the original to make money and that annoys me intensely.

The other aspect is of course lack of creativity and originality. Im not going to watch a seven samuri remake because if I want to watch seven samauri Ill watch seven samauri simple as that. What can a remake offer. Now why not take some of the time, talent(and Donnie yen is one talented guy) and money its gonna take to make the movie and put it into something more productive like young director with an original idea.

Jeez less of the drama. Like any industry the movie industry is there to make money. They make remakes and sequels because people enjoy them and pay to go see them. The integrity of the original is in no way diminished because it was remade poorly. If you dont want to watch the remake then dont watch it. I cant understand how this affects you in any way. The fact is that 90% of a movie going audience are not going to be bothered watching a subtitled Kurosawa movie from the '50's. If they can remake it instead and make a lot of money then why shouldnt they? Why should they have to take a risk on an untried director or concept? These movies employ thousands of people, the less risky option from their point of view is always going to be the best one. When there is money and jobs on the line, artistic integrity quickly disappears.

hairball

Playboy wrote:

Jeez less of the drama. Like any industry the movie industry is there to make money. They make remakes and sequels because people enjoy them and pay to go see them. The integrity of the original is in no way diminished because it was remade poorly. If you dont want to watch the remake then dont watch it. I cant understand how this affects you in any way. The fact is that 90% of a movie going audience are not going to be bothered watching a subtitled Kurosawa movie from the '50's. If they can remake it instead and make a lot of money then why shouldnt they? Why should they have to take a risk on an untried director or concept? These movies employ thousands of people, the less risky option from their point of view is always going to be the best one. When there is money and jobs on the line, artistic integrity quickly disappears.

I agree with what you're saying but i think this is why the previous poster was so hacked off....maybe if mainstream hollywood studios took a few more risks they might be surprised that their audiences are a little more sophisticated than they think.
The reason those 90% of people watch these lame remakes and cash in sequels is because thats whats pushed at them all of the time, the marketing budgets for these movies must be approaching the movies own budget these days.
The answer lies in a bit more risk taking on studios part and a bit more info out there about some truly great movies that people may have missed because there was more trailers for ****ing fast and furious 20 or whatever.
Unfortunately at the moment, it is as you say.

J.R.HARTLEY

unfortunately most studios would rather make 10 movies with a small profit ($10M) margin and small budget and proven story (remake, sequel) than take the risk of a potentially huge profit ($200) with an untried formula and potentially lose big money, heavens gate really left a legacy

lostexpectation

clooney seems to make these movies so he can party with his mates for a few months, damn him for making some interesting movies with some people and gaining some respect

Karl Hungus

lostexpectation wrote:

clooney seems to make these movies so he can party with his mates for a few months, damn him for making some interesting movies with some people and gaining some respect

That's true, I've gain a lot of respect for him after Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind.

I can almost bring myself to forgive One Fine Day. Almost, but not quite.

Rcuomo

so yea its been confirmed today that its going ahead. A writer has been named - a guy called john fusco - who wrote such classics as young guns & hidalgo... only one confirmed name attached, zhang ziyi.

personally i'm looking forward to seeing donnie yen do some martial arts action on those bandits!

Mickeroo

Sorry for digging up an old thread but this has actually gotten a director now! His name is Scott Mann and he directed a movie called The Tournament which I am not familiar with.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-weinsteins-hire-a-director-for-that-seven-samu,55475/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=feeds&utm_source=avclub_rss_daily&_r=true

From reading that article it sounds like this will be as much a remake as the likes of Tears of the Sun, King Arthur or Pixar's A Bugs Life. It's not even set in Japan ffs, would be extremely surprised if they even end up calling it Seven Samurai......

johnny_ultimate

**** you Hollywood. **** right off.

I've no problem with another version of the story, after all there has all ready been about a dozen. The Tournament was entertaining as hell and made on less than the catering budget for a summer blockbuster.

Mickeroo

Deleted User wrote: »

I've no problem with another version of the story, after all there has all ready been about a dozen. The Tournament was entertaining as hell and made on less than the catering budget for a summer blockbuster.

Another version of the story is grand, but if they're calling it an official re-make then they may aswell at least try make a ****in Samurai movie.

Mickeroo

Mickeroo wrote: »

Another version of the story is grand, but if they're calling it an official re-make then they may aswell at least try make a ****in Samurai movie.

It sounds more like an updated version of the film than a remake.

I also doubt it will be called Seven Samurai, seems just a working title for the time being.

johnny_ultimate

Kurosawa was himself a remake fanatic - look at all his Shakespeare adaptations. And there's nothing wrong with taking an alternate take on another film - we can hardly bemoan Sergio Leone's take on Yojimbo when the result was A Fistful of Dollars. I agree with Mickeroo though - there is something spectacularly wrong with a samurai movie set outside Japan. If they want to remake the basic story, go for it - they've done it already in Western form. But if they're going to have the tenacity to call it Seven Samurai, the least they can do is remain somewhat loyal to the original vision. I'll wait and see, but if it really is an American samurai movie, I'll be pissed.

Sad Professor

Seven Samurai was basically an eastern Western, so I don't really see the point in remaking it as a samurai film. I rather see them do another Western take on it.

stevenmu

They should do it as a sci-fi remake. They could set it in space and have them use some kind of futuristic laser swords. Each samurai could be from a different star system, and would be known by the name of the star they are from. Obviously war would break would break out amongst them. To show it's quite different from the original they'd want to call it something different, like Seven Stars War or something like that, but knowing how badly Japanese translates into English it'd probably end up being called Star Wars 7 or something nonsensical like that.

Phony Scott

stevenmu wrote: »

To show it's quite different from the original they'd want to call it something different, like Seven Stars War or something like that

Hey! How about 'Battle Beyond the Stars'. I think that'd be a good title.