Hey folks, Harry here... I love Chan Wook Park's OLDBOY passionately. So much so, that I let it be the first film that I did a feature length audio commentary for. That new 4 disc super OLDBOY limited edition, that sold out instantly in South Korea... yup, that's got my first commentary subtitled in Korean. Before I get on to the Nick Cage part of this story, I just have to comment on the process of recording a film commentary. It's very relaxing. You sit in a sound booth, big ass microphone recording your every thought. You're supposed to keep talking, and I suppose had I been a part of production, I'd have endless anecdotes regarding my experiences, but I don't. So - I was armed with what limited knowledge there is to read in English regarding Wook Park's method, inspiration and future. And then, just my personal impressions on this towering work of genius. The process forces you to make note of things, almost becoming movie therapy. But - I love that my commentary is attached to that film. And when you find the track listings on the score cd - they're classic.
Ok, now to this Nick Cage / OLDBOY thing. First off, it isn't anything more than Nick wanting to be involved and cast in the American remake. Originally - I know some at Universal were thinking along the lines of trying to get Mel Gibson attached to the film, but... due to PASSION OF THE CHRIST doing what it did, and Mel's subsequent shyness in terms of signing on to a new project for acting, they'll move on. With Mel pretty much out of the picture - and Nick Cage doing fantastic at the box office with NATIONAL TREASURE - it's a good bet that if Cage wants OLDBOY, he'll get it.
What do I think about that? Well - If Universal allows Justin Lin to make OLDBOY and go all the way with it, instead of toning down or white-washing the story - then I think Cage could be a very very strong choice for casting. When Chan Wook Park created Oh-Dae-Su, he was borrowing from personalities and swaggers as widely variant as Elvis in JAILHOUSE ROCK to Jimmy Stewart in VERTIGO to even Michael Caine in DRESSED TO KILL. The character is quirked and damaged, yet cooler than cool. Perfect vintage Nick Cage material. If Lynch were directing this my confidence would soar, but we'll see where Justin comes in. He's definitely going to try and raise his game tremendously with this film. And no matter what, I doubt seriously a remake will touch Park's genius.
I know this rumor broke out about a week ago - but I was trapped in my post-BNAT hibernation and recovery mode back then. Here's who reminded me...
Dear Gang,
I live in Seoul right now, heard this rumor and thought I'd pass it along. As I'm sure you know Nicholas Cage married a 21 year old Korean American girl a few months back and is here in Korea now doing double duty, promoting National Treasure and meeting the inlaws. Now this rumor is not even second hand, it's more like third hand, but it goes like this. Supposedly a friend of a friend of a friend met Cage, and they spoke about what he might be doing next. The rumor goes that Cage is very much interested in starring in the American version of Oldboy. I have nothing to back this up, but thought maybe you could confirm it one way or the other. Personally I'm not a huge Nicholas Cage fan, but having seen the original Oldboy and loving it, I think Cage might be perfect. That being said, I'm not sure a new version needs to be made at all. The original was a classic in its own right.
If you use this call me the man with 12 gold teeth.
