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Hollywood has long wanted to remake John Woo’s Hong Kong action classic The Killer and I was always kind of happy when past attempts fell apart because I’ve yet to see an assassin as cool as Chow Yun-Fat was in the 1989 original. To me, it’s almost like trying to remake The Godfather or some other sacrosanct picture considered best in its genre, even though its balletic violence and over the top gunplay informed so many movies, including The Matrix. Now it looks like a remake will happen, in 3D no less (will the flying doves be enhanced with that technology?) At least Woo is involved for some quality control as the picture mobilizes for sales at Berlin. Here’s the announcement:
Los Angeles, 31 January 2011: Essential Entertainment has joined Lion Rock Productions in its remake of THE KILLER in 3D, currently in pre-production, which will be directed by John H. Lee (A Moment to Remember, Saying Good-bye, Oneday) and written by Josh Campbell. Jung Woo-Sung (Reign of Assassins, The Good, The Bad, The Weird) will star in this English language re-telling of John Woo’s iconic action masterpiece, with additional cast to be announced shortly. The film will be produced by Woo (Face/Off, Mission: Impossible II) and Terence Chang under their Lion Rock Productions banner. Essential Entertainment will be handling worldwide sales.
Producer John Woo said: “While all my films are special to me, THE KILLER is truly one of my favorites. We are thrilled to reinvent it as an English-language film and know it’s in capable hands by the incredible visual style and tender emotion John H. Lee brings to all his films.”
John Fremes, President of Worldwide Distribution at Essential Entertainment said: “John Woo’s THE KILLER is one of the most influential and classic action films of all-time. The 3D version will no doubt appeal to fans of the original as well as capture a new generation of enthusiasts.”
Set in present day, an elite Asian assassin risks everything to protect a beautiful singer that he unintentionally blinded, but can only do so with the help of an LAPD detective who is trying to catch him.
THE KILLER in 3D was brought into Essential Entertainment by attorney Howard Frumes from Alexander, Nau, Lawrence, Frumes, & Labowitz, LLP.
Lion Rock Productions has also independently produced, in addition to its numerous studio films, RED CLIFF, the highest grossing film in China at the time of its release, as well as the upcoming martial arts swordplay drama REIGN OF ASSASSINS, released by The Weinstein Company.
In addition to THE KILLER in 3D, Essential Entertainment is handling the international sales on Barney’s Version, The Expatriate, A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, The Music Never Stopped, and Red Dog, which will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival— screening in competition as part of Generation 14plus.
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What a terrible idea.
Why in 3D? Everything that was special about 3D has been sucked dry.
Only because Mr. Woo will be producing it does this have a chance to match the brilliance of the original. Can’t wait to see it! Woo is a true master filmmaker.
Not really. Except for Face/Off, his American movies have been MEH. I don’t believe there is any chance this will come close to the original. Just like I do with 80% of Hollywood crap, I will be taking a pass here.
Maybe it’s not Woo and his filmmaking skills that you are not happy with but the “American standardized films” he’s been asked/required to make that so disappoint you. Woo is a filmmaker not an alchemist. Even he can’t turn “crap” into Hollywood gold.
Woo woo woo!!
Nice unambiguous title, “The Killer”.
Now, THAT’S getting right to the point!
Another movie made to appeal to the feral instincts of 14-35 year old boys (and the girls they drag along) who pay to see killers doing their thing.
Not enough killing in movies & videogames today. Glad “The Killer” addresses this killing deficit in our culture.
Killers are cool! Haven’t you heard?
As the lead says, “… because I’ve yet to see an assassin as cool as Chow Yun-Fat”.
Killers are even cooler in 3-D!
It’s pretty clear you’re not familiar with “The Killer,” sir. It’s arguably John Woo’s signature work, and while it’s ultra-violent, it’s a pretty gorgeous movie as well, a work of visual artistry. I hate killing in real life; I like killing in movies though. There’s a really good story about John Woo. Some studio guy once said to Quentin Tarantino, “I suppose John Woo can direct action sequences,” and Tarantino looked at him, dumbfounded, and said, “Yeah, and I suppose Michaelangelo can paint fuckin’ ceilings.”
Respect.
Even though Paul T is moralizing, I will say this…I am sick to the teeth of “assassin for hire” and “hitman” movies. It’s a lazy way to do an action picture, it’s unimaginative, and they come out at a rate of two a month. Enough.
SethJ, nothing wrong with “moralizing”, though I’d call it “truth to insanity”.
Your objection to unconscionable hitman porn only concerns lazy screenwriting. That’s a given, of course, whenever a movie displays violence.
The BIGGER objection is the damage done culturally, especially to impressionable 14-35 year olds, and to those involved in the production & distribution of violent movies.
“The Killer” is but one of hundreds of blood money, inexcusably violent films over the last few years. Seems today the only way to sell tickets is by seasoning a movie with killings & fiery explosions. The negative cumulative effect on those who market this crap and those who pay to see it is devastating.
Want proof?
Just look around at real-world America, 2011.
You say “I hate killing in real life; I like killing in movies though”. You need to ask yourself why.
As to “while it’s ultra-violent, it’s a pretty gorgeous movie”…so “ultra-violence” is “gorgeous”?
Killing in real life or onscreen is NEVER gorgeous. You need to rethink your aesthetic standards.
Who said originality is dead?
Guaranteed first topic of discussion: “Okay, guys, how do we make sure this stays PG-13?”
I was sure Hollywood had learned their lesson after the horrible Mission Impossible 2 and the god-awful Paycheck. When it comes to “over-the-top” action, remember Woo, less is more.
Go watch his Hong Kong movies before you criticize Woo.
Will someone please put a bullet in the head of the old Hollywood from the last 20 years so we can move on from this nonsense? Seriously, has this town simply lost the ability to come up with new and exciting ideas? I think it’s a testament that studios no longer know what they’re doing when they don’t have the confidence to spend money to develop something new instead of reaching for hail mary remakes or adaptations of comics no one has ever heard of.
Can’t wait for the 2D franchise reboot of the 3D remake of “Killers.”
I mean sure, why not remake this? Gotta fill that slate yo!
Guys, check out Wesley French. He looks the part and would rock this!
100% bunk. I would argue that not even Woo is Woo is 2011. The closest thing America got to a true Woo film was “The Replacement Killers” and even that was directed by Antoine Fuqua (I think it was his first major film). “Windtalkers,” ’nuff said. “Paycheck,” hello?????? And a Korean lead? WTF? Isn’t this supposed to be Hong Kong action? That’s like casting an Englishman to play an American super-hero (oh, wait, wrong thread). I will clutch my DVD of “The Killer” even closer to my bosom.
What about Face/Off? I know it’s not as good as Woo’s Hong Kong shit, but it wasn’t terrible. Also, for some reason I remember Broken Arrow not being as terrible as Woo’s recent films. Hard Boiled is still my favorite though.
Now I get why all the Star Wars kids get upset when George Lucas change something in Star Wars…..this is TERRIBLE news. Even with John Woo (whom, can we all didn’t lose it, he just needs to not make films in America – Red Cliff anyone!??)
However, Jung Woo-Sung, interesting choice.
nothing´s sacred any more… whatever… they will redo it and then they will redo Hard Boiled, ACK!
I liked it better when it was called Le Samourai.
Actually, Woo’s helped present Le Samourai and Le Circle Rouge, which is probably a lot nicer than what QT’s done for City on Fire.
Please stop with this 3D BS already. It’s distracting and wearing glasses that are very uncomfortable does not make for a pleasant moving going experience.
For the most part 99% of the films made in 3D is a crutch for a poor script, piss poor acting, and/or a crappy DP.
Josh Campbell?
Really?
He’s left a trail of garbage, so give him a classic.
I remember years ago that Walter Hill was supposed to direct Richard Gere and Denzel Washington in version of this. Walter Hill channelling John Woo? That’s I’d pay to see. This? Not so much.
Mike, you should add something to this article saying that if the project is shot in 3D then it will be the right decision for this remake (the press release hints at this if you read in between the lines).
“John Woo” and “quality control” are not things that necessarily go together anymore.
John Woo *HATED* Hollywood from the second they convinced him to come over here. He makes his first US movie – “Hard Target” w/ VanDam – and it gets an NC-17… but, of course, the contract stipulates an ‘R’ rating. So, Woo says, “OK, tell me what to take out to get an ‘R’.” Logical question. But “Oh nooo, we don’t do that, that would be CENSORSHIP, and the only thing we do is advise parents on what films are suitable for their children.” Woo says “F this, man.”, and so the producers hack and slash it into the P.O.S. we currently know as “Hard Target”. After some minor upswings (“Hard Target”; “Face/Off”), Woo gets so sick of Hollywood he decides he’d rather go back to communist China, as they have more artistic freedom there. (Note: Chow Yun-Fat went through a similar cycle). But, as a final “Bite me, America”, he makes “Paycheck”, which had amazing source material (a Philip K. Dick story), but Woo decides – I swear to gawd – to take “action” scenes from things like the original “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” cartoon. (You know, like when these ‘ninjas’ are swinging around lethal weapons, but would rather slice open a steam pipe and make their escape than kill the bad guys and NOT have to fight them again next week…). Really, 3-D? Seriously? I refuse to watch a 3-D movie (in 3-D), so when you watch it in “boring old 1080p with a Dolby 7.1 sound system”, you can actually pick out the 3-D moments (like when a dragon charges RIGHT at the screen from out of nowhere). And the person who said, “The first question will be ‘How are we going to make this PG-13?’ hit the nail on the head. Just buy the restored Dragon Dynasty Blu-Ray original. (A 3-D remake of The Killer. Lord, this is truly the siren call of Judgment Day. I’ll keep my eye out for T-888′s until you call me up to heaven where John Woo is making movies written by the Wachowski’s, using the FX people from The Matrix, and starring Christian Bale…)
I love Asian cinema. LEAVE IT ALONE!!!
Between this and the news that Tyler Perry is now playing Alex Cross I’ve come to the conclusion that Hollywood has lost their damn minds.
This sounds like a typically stupid and opportunistic idea from John’s translator producer Terrence Chang… who seems intent on destroying John’s reputation with increasing levels of crap… Blood Brothers or My Fair Gentleman anyone?