Rooney Mara Passes on Spike Lee's Oldboy

Good for her. This movie shouldn't get made.

I agree that remaking this film is pretty much pointless since the original is a very dark film with some amazing moments (the hallway fight is one of the best long takes ever filmed), and of course the big reveal at the ending is one of the biggest twist endings that if done here in the states would be a major taboo moment. Also with Spike Lee, I know hes going to intermix racial issues into the film that weren't needed in the original

Incest is gross and this movie does not need to be made.

Yeah, we get that. But would ANY studio have ANY interest in making this movie if it hadn't already been successful on a lower budget in another country? No.

Let the Right One In (2008) > Let Me In (2010)
Nathalie (2003) > Chloe (2009)
Dark Water (2002) > Dark Water (2005)
Il Mare (2000) > Lake House (2006)
Nikita (1990) > Point of No Return (1993)

Dozens more, but those spring to mind first.

The problem is, even with the source material possibly being interpreted and translated, it will most certainly be watered down. I haven't read the manga, have no interest in the manga. I don't even know if Park's Oldboy is an accurate depiction or not.

But here's a spoiler, so don't read if you haven't seen or read about the movie in depth....

Oh-Daesu is abducted by a man from his past, held sealed away in a modified hotel room for 15 years, watching on tv as he is framed for the murder of his wife. He tries killing himself often but is drugged before he can go all the way. When he is released, Oh-Daesu is more or less a monster, and he naturally wants revenge. Somewhat delirious, he seeks out a sushi chef (Mi-do) he saw on tv, where he collapses from hypnotic suggestion and subliminal messages. Physically drawn to this Mi-do that befriends him, Oh-Daesu starts a relationship with her as she takes him in, allowing him to work out who kidnapped him 15 years ago, and who hired that person.

Turns out, Oh-Daesu saw a classmate getting it on with her brother (Woo-jin) when he was in school, and started a series of rumors. The sister would later kill herself, making Woo-jin swear revenge one day. When confronted, Woo-jin reveals his master plan - he planted all kinds of subliminal messages to lead Oh-Daesu to Mi-do.... HIS OWN DAUGHTER. Oh-Daesu cuts his tongue out as penance and to keep Woo-jin quiet, who satisfied, kills himself.

But what's even crazier is what they're left with. Oh-Daesu visits the hypnotist who helped manipulate him, convincing her to help him forget that he is Mi-do's father so that they can continue their relationship.

The first adaption was raw enough.

It's a well-known fact that Sweden doesn't have a whole lot of international hits. If you ask any regular movie-goer, chances are they haven't heard of one, or if they have, it is "the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series.
Truly, I can't say much different. Let the Right One In and the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series are the only ones I can name. BOTH have been remade or are in the process of being remade from their respective Swedish adaptations to capitalize further on their success via Hollywood.

For "Let Me In", Matt Reeves was not the first approached to direct. They actually offered the director of "Let the Right One In" a chance to redo his movie. I would have been insulted. He obviously declined. Although the writer of the novel was originally quite honored that his work was adapted twice, until the studio started up with a short-lived Dark Horse prequel comic. The producer of the American rendition had this to say: "We're incredibly admiring of the original, but to be honest with you, that picture grossed $2 million. It's not like we're remaking Lawrence of Arabia."

Foreign markets adapting American classics is something else entirely. How obscure are the American originals? How obscure are the foreign originals?

What I see is a bunch of producers exclaiming that there is nothing unique left in the film-making world while they have something to say about it.

"You can't tell me you haven't watched a movie and wished key scenes or the whole thing was different, from the cast to the tone."
This is true. The Star Wars prequels. Imagine if a foreign studio approached George Lucas and offered him a chance to remake his movies....

I think all the dis like for this film is because Spike is making it, had some other director did it like David Fincher or Aronofsy nobody would have a problem. I think Spike just rubs people the wrong way but I like him