TIFF 2012: FilmDistrict Acquires US Distribution Rights to Oldboy Remake

Steve Barton   |  

Sep 7, 2012

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Whether you want it or not, if you’re in the States, you’ll be able to see Spike Lee’s take on Oldboy courtesy of FilmDistrict, which acquired U.S. distribution rights to the flick during the currently running Toronto International Film Festival.

No, the film’s not screening during the Fest (it begins shooting later this month), but the sale came as part of the business end of TIFF activities and was negotiated by producers Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment and Nathan Kahane on behalf of Good Universe. FilmDistrict CEO Peter Schlessel, 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.”

Josh Brolin plays an ad exec who is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement without any indication of his captor’s 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 odd man (Sharlto Copley) who allegedly holds the key to his salvation.

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