Nordling here.
Fans of Spike Lee (of which I'm one) can rejoice. Apparently he's started filming just today on a low-budget film in Brooklyn called RED HOOK SUMMER (according to Blackfilm) which is being described as bring about an "adult from Atlanta who comes and spends the summer in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, NY." A rather vague synopsis, but since it just started, Lee's playing it close. Lee will be returning to his character of Mookie - last we saw Mookie he was collecting his money from Sal (Danny Aiello) and his sons in front of Sal's burned-out pizzeria. I'd love to return to those characters, and if RED HOOK SUMMER's not a straight up sequel, at least we can revisit those characters and see how their world has changed since that fateful night in Bed-Stuy. Da Mayor isn't with us anymore, sadly, nor is Sweet Dick Willie, but I'd love to see those characters again. Yeah, I'm a huge DO THE RIGHT THING fan. I think it's one of the finest films of the 1980s, and if someone wanted to insist on it being the finest film, I'd be hard pressed to argue the point. It's funny, true, and every damn time I see it I get something new from it. I'm overjoyed that not only is Spike working again, but he's already got his next film lined up.
You may remember Twitchfilm last week reporting that Spike would be remaking OLDBOY. Well, that's just been confirmed by Mandate Pictures, who sent along this press release:
Los Angeles (July 11, 2011) – Mandate Pictures announced today that Spike Lee (Inside Man) will direct OLDBOY, a remake of the highly-acclaimed South Korean film. Mark Protosevich has adapted the screenplay and will co-produce. Roy Lee and Doug Davison (The Departed, The Grudge) will produce. The film is a Vertigo Entertainment/40 Acres & A Mule Production. Mandate President Nathan Kahane will executive produce.
“It’s a great honor to put this special project into the hands of such a gifted writer and iconic director,” said Kahane.
OLDBOY tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned on his daughter’s birthday. For fifteen years, he is held captive, and, upon his release, must begin his journey to find the reason for his imprisonment. He soon finds out that his kidnapper has plans for him more tortuous than his solitary confinement. The original film, released in 2003, directed by Chan-wook Park won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
Like I've said before, OLDBOY was going to be remade no matter what. I'm pleased that Spike Lee is the director who will be working on the project - OLDBOY is in excellent hands. Can't wait to see his take on the material.
Nordling, out.
