Hollywood to destroy more classic movies

Taleran

imdb.com
This is from a blog from the owner of Dendy Cinemas Australia, which is Australias leading arthouse cinema, and is very credible.

It is dated 24th of May 2006

"So the Weinstein Company drinks event turned out to be a bit of low key affair. The most gob smacking moment for me was Harvey telling the assembled throng that they were planning to remake Kurosawa's masterpiece Seven Samurai as an English language franchise pic. No idea how they will handle the franchise rights but am sure we can look forward to Eight Samurai and Nine Samurai as directed by Tarantino and am still wondering where the original studio remake, Guns of the Magnificent Seven, fits into all that?"

Here is the link; under the heading "confusing tales from the south"

http://cannes06.blogspot.com/

This link states that Ziyi Zhang has actually signed on for the remake;

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=14869

Akira Kurosawa's movies don't need to be remade or turned franchise EVER

Captain Kuro

Yeah, I heard about that.

I also heard that there will be a new Ikiru.

BatDan

Where on IMDB does it say that?

That sucks though, no franchise please.

madgophermm5

Hey here is a news flash. This ain't the first time one of Kurasawa's movie's has been remade for america.

Hell The Magnificent Seven is the american remake of Seven Samurai, not to mention all the remake's of Yojimbo like A Fistfull of Dollars and Last man Standing (both of which are decent movies).

CosmicDebris

Hollywood is just out of original ideas these days. :/

Local-chan

ohhhhhh fun! Just what we need, ANOTHER remake to go in the £5.99 bargain bin in Music Zone, funness.

BatDan

@madgophermm5:

Hey here is a news flash. This ain't the first time one of Kurasawa's movie's has been remade for america.

Hell The Magnificent Seven is the american remake of Seven Samurai, not to mention all the remake's of Yojimbo like A Fistfull of Dollars and Last man Standing (both of which are decent movies).

Yeah, but I think they're actually going to call this movie The Seven Samurai. They aren't going to call it The Magnicant Seven or anything else.

Greg

Well, unless you're a SP.ED you know what the original is. I don't think they're attempting to hide the fact that it isn't an original film.

And although I'm sure I'll get flamed, I hated The Seven Samurai. I understand how it was amazing for its time and whatnot, but I fell asleep more times during my first viewing than the time I watched VERSUS which is saying a lot.

While I think Kurosawa deserves all the credit in the world for ushering in a new era of film, I personally don't think his films are anything near being 'timeless'.

So I'll be in line and if Hollywood can actually make a badass ninja movie (something Japan has yet to do) I'll be in line for that as well.

Green Hair

Nothing new here. Original ideas in Hollywood are almost extinct. I'm surprised it took them so long to see that Asia is a remake-to-be movie heaven. And I really don't wanna know what they have in plans for Oldboy…

@Greg:

So I'll be in line and if Hollywood can actually make a badass ninja movie (something Japan has yet to do) I'll be in line for that as well.

Ninja Scroll? Although, ninjas are not the main theme here.

Captain Kuro

@Green:

Ninja Scroll? Although, ninjas are not the main theme here.

I just have to say that Ninja Scroll is still awesome. I don't care how many people want to say it's "overrated" or whatever, it's got to be one of my favorites.

I watched it again recently and I have a new appreciation for it. I always liked it, but I was surprised that it was better than I remember it to have been.

Of course, I like all of Kawajiri's stuff. To me he's the master of stylish animation.

As for live action ninja movies…other than Samurai Spy (which some people hate, but I like) I also liked Red Shadow. Sure it was goofy, but it was entertaining. But of course I knew what to expect, so I wasn't looking for a masterpiece.

Oh and this new Seven Samurai is different from Magnificent Seven because it's actually going to have samurai in it (as far as I know).

Greg

Ninja Scroll? Although, ninjas are not the main theme here.

We're talking about live-action here if I'm not mistaken.

I also liked Red Shadow. Sure it was goofy, but it was entertaining.

No offense to you but in my opinion, one of the worst films ever made.

The first 30 minutes were AWESOME and then it takes a complete 180 degree turn into a downward spiral of angst and melodrama.

While I don't mind that kind of thing in arthouse pieces (Audition) when I sit down and watch a ninja movie I wanna see "ninjas flipping out and killing people" not attempt to feel sorry for them.

Captain Kuro

There was news for a live-action Ninja Scroll a few years ago, but don't know what happened to it. I couldn't find it on IMDB or anything. But I still find old news sites about it.

No offense to you but in my opinion, one of the worst films ever made.

I don't think it's even hardly close to being one of the worst movies ever.

I still love the scene with those grey ninja guys. I hardly ever find anything in movies funny, but I actually laughed.

The first 30 minutes were AWESOME and then it takes a complete 180 degree turn into a downward spiral of angst and melodrama.

See, I don't really get why people say this. Of course, I had read a review that said the exact same thing before I saw the movie, so maybe I was prepared.

Maybe I've played too many rpgs? Because it didn't seem any different from a Japanese rpg that has tons of goofy comedy in it and then has events that take a serious turn. But then it still has plenty of goofy parts afterwards too.

That's the way I saw it anyway.

KamenRiderNeko

@1:

ohhhhhh fun! Just what we need, ANOTHER remake to go in the £5.99 bargain bin in Music Zone, funness.

LOL! yeah that would suck, but oh well… wonder how long afterwards it would take it to hit the dollar theater, lol!

Greg

See, I don't really get why people say this. Of course, I had read a review that said the exact same thing before I saw the movie, so maybe I was prepared.

Well I think a lot of people say that because that's the way it is.

Who thought it would be a good idea to make the equivalent of a rip-roaring guitar riff ninja film and then suddenly turn it into a boring melodrama fest.

You really can't compare a movie and RPGs because while you have 30 or so hours to spend in an RPG, you've only got maybe 2 hours in a film and pulling a stunt like that is just poor writing.

Hollywood doing a ninja movie would be a great thing in the right hands.

What's my dream ninja movie? Well, if they could make something as rockin' as Samurai Fiction with a little more of the ol' 'ultra violence' I'd be very happy.

But no. We get Katori in NINxNIN and more crap like Shinobi: Heart Under Blade.

I think [another] update of Seven Samurai could be neat. At least they'd have freedom to play with history and not destroy a piece of culture like with Memoirs.

Actually, cancel that. I don't think the people who saw Memoirs actually took anything from it to heart….neither of them.

Captain Kuro

Maybe I'll have to watch Red Shadow again, because I don't remember it being that melodramatic. I remember there being cool fight scenes and some goofy stuff after the "serious event" happened even. I mean, you have to expect some mourning after the event…but I don't remember it being unbearable to watch. Maybe I phased it out or something?

Wasn't Red Shadow by the Samurai Fiction guy?

Satsuki

Every film professor I've talked to who like Kurosawa (and all of them do) all agree that his best movie isn't Seven Samurai, but Ikiru.

I'm inclined to agree, Ikiru made me cry.

Captain Kuro

@Satsuki:

Every film professor I've talked to who like Kurosawa (and all of them do) all agree that his best movie isn't Seven Samurai, but Ikiru.

I'm inclined to agree, Ikiru made me cry.

Out of all of his movies I've seen, I liked Ikiru the most.

Taleran

I personally liked Yojimbo the best

Captain Kuro

@Taleran:

I personally liked Yojimbo the best

I haven't seen Yojimbo yet.

Taleran

the thinking / smart man's Samurai Movie

Ubiq

I'm somewhat ambivalent towards remaking Kurosawa's films; it's been done before and some damn fine Westerns have been the result (no surprise as Kurosawa was a John Ford fan and many of his films were based on Western stories to begin with like Yojimbo, which was originally a private eye who turned two Mafiosos against one another). Honestly, when it comes to remaking The Seven Samurai, the notion of a new film version annoys me less than the anime remake that's on IFC.

On the other hand, Hollywood doesn't need to be encouraged when it comes to making remakes of a good film. If they want to remake something, why not do something that wasn't done correctly the first time (like a good idea done poorly or a botched book adaption)?

Green Hair

@Greg:

We're talking about live-action here if I'm not mistaken.

Does it really matter?

I never really understood why people tend to put animated and live-action movies in different leagues.

Azegoroth

@Taleran:

the thinking / smart man's Samurai Movie

Agreed, Yojimbo is great!

stephen

I hear they're also remaking The Wicker Man, which is pretty upsetting to me.
I would only see the remake if Christopher Lee reprises his original role (HA!)

Taleran

@Green:

Does it really matter?

I never really understood why people tend to put animated and live-action movies in different leagues.

in this case it does because the Live action is just a movie and the series is a series and is scifi

Green Hair

@Taleran:

in this case it does because the Live action is just a movie and the series is a series and is scifi

Sorry, I'm afraid I don't understand this. Could you please explain?

Greg

Does it really matter?

Comparing live action to animation?

Sure.

Watch a Jackie Chan film. That's someone doing those things. Watch an animation, it's pictures doing it. They're an entirely different realm.

ooshi78

i'm not sure what you guys are having a mad cow over… it's pretty well known that kurosawa "stole" from western stories (especially shakespeare).

greg, i suggest you check out "azumi" it's a live action ninja (kind of) movie. great action scenes, cute main character, decent story...

ooshi78

Captain Kuro

@Taleran:

in this case it does because the Live action is just a movie and the series is a series and is scifi

The Ninja Scroll animated series didn't come until way after the animated Ninja Scroll movie (is that what you mean by series?)

I also tend to group live-action and animated movies differently (there was a topic about Batman movies where I forgot all about Batman: Mask of the Phantasm even though it was my favorite). However, I sometimes wonder why I do though. I don't consider computer generated special effects in live-action movies (in new movies -not old martial arts movies) to be any more impressive than an animated movie like Ninja Scroll with awesome animated fights (Kawajiri's stuff is so stylish).

But some people will group Disney animated movies on the same level as live-action movies (or kind of anyway).

Greg

Unfortunately Azumi, like almost all Ruhei Kitamura films, put me to sleep a few times. All those silent staring scenes… I haven't watched Final Wars yet but the only Kitamura film not to put me out like a light thus far has been Battlefield Baseball.

Captain Kuro

@ooshi78:

i'm not sure what you guys are having a mad cow over… it's pretty well known that kurosawa "stole" from western stories (especially shakespeare).

I think some people are concerned because they think it might be a flat-out remake (not just taking certain ideas and making a new thing out of it). Or at least I assume that's what it will be right now (unless it becomes something a little different, like the Magnificent Seven).

For example, Kurosawa's Ran wasn't a flat-out King Lear remake (different characters, setting, etc. - and when he started it, Ran wasn't even going to be based on King Lear - he decided that later).

Green Hair

@Greg:

Comparing live action to animation?

Sure.

Watch a Jackie Chan film. That's someone doing those things. Watch an animation, it's pictures doing it. They're an entirely different realm.

Meh, I consider animation as much a legit form of filmmaking as live-action.

I have yet to see a live-action movie that will surpass something like Ninja Scroll or Princess Mononoke.

And Jackie Chan movies are boring, IMO.

Bounty1Berry

I think it's merely the matter of technical effort involved.

In animation, stunts are free. Special effects are free. Bizarre body types are free.

Imagine how complex pulling off any of the CP9 fights (other than Sanji v. Calipha) would be in live action.

Frankly, Jackie Chan makes a better cartoon character than an actor. I don't like how he always plays essentially the same character. And you can't understand a WORD he says when he goes on those late-night interview shows.

Cap'n Carter

Too bad Jackie Chan Adventures is garbage.

Greg

I think some people are concerned because they think it might be a flat-out remake

Yeah but with foreigners like George Clooney attached that doesn't seem likely. I'm cautiously curious.

Meh, I consider animation as much a legit form of filmmaking as live-action.

Woah woah woah. Where did I say animation wasn't legit?? However, there's a big difference between watching a cartoon character do something and a human actually perform in front of you. No illegitimacy, just two separate worlds.

Green Hair

@Greg:

Woah woah woah. Where did I say animation wasn't legit?? However, there's a big difference between watching a cartoon character do something and a human actually perform in front of you. No illegitimacy, just two separate worlds.

True.

@Greg:

when I sit down and watch a ninja movie I wanna see "ninjas flipping out and killing people" not attempt to feel sorry for them.

Man, you're spending way to much time on that site. :ninja:

Greg

haha, it's so old but so good.

Bounty1Berry

@Cap'n:

Too bad Jackie Chan Adventures is garbage.

I'll be the first to admit the fifth season was rubbish, but I thought the fourth season quite good; I don't like the heroes so much as the bumbling recurrent villains, each with their own lovable personalities.

Hobo-Ou

i'm not sure what you guys are having a mad cow over… it's pretty well known that kurosawa "stole" from western stories (especially shakespeare).

Kurosawa borrwing ideas, concepts and overarching themes from Shakespeare isn't anything nothing new considering everybody does that. Shakespeare's plays have the basis for countless films. Hell, Kurosawa even admitted he enjoyed Western style story telling. The concept of 'stealing' would fit more into a Tarantino category than Kurosawa.

As for a remake, I'm currently indifferent and I'll wait and see as more unfolds as Seven Samurai isn't my favorite Kurosawa film so I' m not completely furious.

Greg: Have you seen Satsuo Yamamoto's Shinobi no Mono? It's an older film, but still quite good.