Clive Owen Not Attached To Oldboy (Contact Music)

08 January 2012 14:11

Picture: Clive Owen tries to hide behind his friends as he left the Ivy Club London, England ....

 

Clive Owen has reportedly become the latest big-name Brit to pull out of Spike Lee's Oldboy remake, according to industry reports.

 

Colin Firth was originally slated to play the villain in the film - a new look at Chan-wook Park's ultra-violent 2003 movie - but he was replaced by Owen.

Rooney Mara was also briefly attached to the film, which will star Josh Brolin, but the lead female role has since been filled by Jane Eyre star Mia Wasikowska.


http://www.contactmusic.com/news/clive-owen-not-attached-to-oldboy_1281427

Clive Owen Offered Chance To Be A Bastard Again In ‘Oldboy’ (Screen Junkies)

About 21 hours ago by Joseph Gibson

Clive Owen is one of those actors who excels at both slimy bastards and sympathetic heroes. And he did a little bit of both simultaneously in Spike Lee’s Inside Man, so it’s not a huge surprise that he’s reportedly been offered the role of the villain in Lee’s remake of the cult Korean thriller Oldboy. But the remake is supposed to feature new characters and somehow be darker than the original (perhaps the producers mean this literally, as in the movie will be lit by candlelight).

If Owen accepts, he’ll be playing the part of the bad guy who will be butting heads against Josh Brolin. And if you’ve seen the original movie, you probably agree that Owen would make a good fit for the upper-class villain of the piece (the role was first offered to Colin Firth, who turned it down). Another role has also been offered to Mia Wasikowska that was turned down by Rooney Mara. Maybe a good alternative title for the American version of Oldboy could be Sloppy Seconds. (The Playlist)


http://www.screenjunkies.com/movies/movie-news/clive-owen-offered-chance-to-be-a-bastard-again-in-oldboy/

BREAKING: Clive Owen Offered Villain Role In Spike Lee's OLDBOY (Twitch)

Film News

by Todd Brown, December 16, 2011 4:36 PM

Thriller, USA & Canada

When word got out that the offer had been made to Colin Firth to play opposite Josh Brolin in the Spike Lee directed remake of Oldboy there was a general consensus that it was an inspired choice. And so it stung a little bit when Firth eventually passed on the part, a situation that leads to the obvious question of who do they try for next?

Well, that decision has been made and it is arguably an even better selection than Firth was.

Twitch has learned that the villain role has now been offered to Clive Owen. Owen and Lee have history, of course, having worked together on Lee's underrated thriller The Inside Man. That the director and star know and like each other is certainly a plus but a much bigger plus is that Owen embodies the perfect blend of sophistication and menace that the part requires along with the sort of charisma needed to go toe to toe with Brolin. Now he just needs to say yes.

 

http://twitchfilm.com/news/2011/12/breaking-clive-owen-offered-villain-role-in-spike-lees-oldboy.php

 

UPDATE: Colin Firth rejects the Villain role in Lee’s OLDBOY remake

Bill MelidoneasDecember 8, 20110

Twitch Twitch reports that Colin Firth has turned down the villain role in Spike Lee’s OLDBOY remake. While I loved Firth for the role it would have been a drastic departure from the original film. Of course that could be Lee’s intent to give a Nolan type remake / reboot treatment by making his film a departure from the 2003 Korean version. The intent was for the script to stay more faithful to the manga series of books but the age difference seemed a weird flip. In the original film the actor who played by the villain was 14 yrs younger than the actor portraying the lead role while with this potential pair of actors Brolin in the lead role would is 8 yrs younger than the villain which would definitely skewer this film into different territory and I’m not sure how the plot of the film would have held up.

So, while losing an Oscar winning actor of Firth’s caliber from a project is never a good thing it might be a better idea to find a younger actor who fits the age dynamic that made the original film a masterpiece. If an actor like Ryan Gosling (or even someone like Ben Foster) was willing to go for the role I think that would be nearly perfect. My hunch is after both Rooney Mara and Oscar winner Colin Firth turning down prime roles in the film that might be a tell-tale sign the projects stinks just a little bit.

 

Very Award

Colin Firth Confirms OLDBOY Rumors; Talks About Working with Coen Brothers Dialogue in GAMBIT

by Adam Chitwood Posted:November 22nd, 2011 at 12:52 pm

While many were skeptical about an English-language remake of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy when it was announced, things got interesting when Spike Lee signed on to direct. Then the director locked Josh Brolin as his star and many fans’ fears (mine included) were abased. The next question was who Lee would choose to play the incredibly nasty villain, as the crux of the movie hinges on the dichotomy between the protagonist and the antagonist. Rumors began to surface that Colin Firth, an odd yet exciting choice, had been offered the role.

There reports were unconfirmed at the time, but Steve recently sat down with Firth to talk about the upcoming spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and he confirmed that he’s been approached about the role but no decisions have been made just yet. In addition, the actor talked about his recently wrapped remake of the 1966 caper comedy Gambit. The film also stars Cameron Diaz and Stanely Tucci, and was written by Joel and Ethan Coen. Hit the jump to check out the interview.



When asked about the Oldboy casting rumors, Firth confirmed that he’s been approached but it’s still early days:

“Well I don’t like to discuss things which are in a kind of early stage of—we’re not that closely acquainted with things, but yeah there has been an approach about Oldboy. No decisions have been made yet by anybody.”

As for Gambit, Firth says that the notorious Coen brother dialogue was a bit tricky, and the tone of the project is very much a farce:

“Doing their dialogue is a challenge because they write, it’s a stylized and intricate series of monologues a lot of it. It was vigorous and it was a farce, and farce is [a] very, very difficult form to specialize in. Comedy can make you a little crazy actually.”

Hopefully we’ll hear more on Oldboy soon, as I think Firth is a terrific choice for the villain role. Gambit should hit theaters sometime next year. We’ll have Steve’s full conversation with the actor up soon.

Collider: There are a lot of rumors that you might do Oldboy.
Colin Firth: I’ve been hearing them, yes.

So, is that a possibility?
Firth: Well I don’t like to discuss things which are in a kind of early stage of—we’re not that closely acquainted with things, but yeah there has been an approach about Oldboy. No decisions have been made yet by anybody.

You just did Gambit, with a script by the Coen brothers. How was that?
Firth: It was wonderful. I mean doing their dialogue is a challenge because they write, it’s a stylized and intricate series of monologues a lot of it. It was vigorous and it was a farce, and farce is [a] very, very difficult form to specialize in. Comedy can make you a little crazy actually.

Collider

Colin Firth on 'Oldboy': 'I Have Been Approached' (Plus video of his return to London after Oscar win)

By Mike Ryan (Subscribe to Mike Ryan's posts)

Posted Nov 19th 2011 12:40PM

On Saturday, Moviefone sat down for a one-on-one interview with reigning Best Actor winner Colin Firth. Firth is promoting his new British spy thriller, 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' but we asked him about the recent rumors that he's been approached to co-star in Spike Lee's remake of the South Korean film, 'Oldboy.' According to reports, Firth would play the villain, Adrian, opposite Josh Brolin. Firth was fairly mum on the subject, but did confirm that he's been approached and cryptically relayed that discussions are still ongoing.

There is a report that you've been approached to star in Spike Lee's 'Oldboy' remake. Is this true?
They are making a film. And, yeah, I have been approached about it.

Is it confirmed?
No.

So you're talking?
I've just... heard about it. [Smiles] You know.

Check back before the Dec. 9 release of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' for Moviefone's full discussion with Colin Firth.
[Photo: Focus]
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Moviefone

Colin Firth to play villain in Oldboy remake

Press Trust Of IndiaLos Angeles, November 13, 2011

First Published: 17:28 IST(13/11/2011)
Last Updated: 17:29 IST(13/11/2011)

Colin Firth holds the awards for Best Actor and ensemble for The King's Speech.

After playing a British king in The King's Speech, Colin Firth is all set to become a villain in his next movie.

The 51-year-old Oscar-winning actor has been offered to tackle the main antagonist in a remake of Park Chan-wook's South Korean revenge classic, Oldboy, reported Ace Showbiz.

Firth has been eyed to play Adrian, a role which was previously offered to Christian Bale. Adrian is described as the nemesis of Josh Brolin's lead character. While the male lead has already been tapped, the project is still looking for an actress. Previously, Rooney Mara became the top pick to star as the leading woman, but she turned the offer down.

Oldboy centers on a recently paroled middle-aged man, who spent 15 years in prison without any explanation as to why he was jailed. He then seeks revenge on those who conspired against him. The original version of the movie was released in 2003 and won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

DreamWorks was actually planning to develop the remake back in 2008. At that time, the studio was in the early talks with Steven Spielberg and Will Smith to direct and star in the project respectively.

However, a deal had never been sealed until it was confirmed that the remake will be developed at Mandate Pictures with Spike Lee serving behind the lens and 'Thor' writer Mark Protosevich penning the script.

Hindustan Times

Colin Firth Getting New Image?

Submitted by Celebrity News Wire on November 11, 2011

 

Colin Firth has worn many hats -- he's played Mr. Darcy (twice), a stuttering King of England and even a singing suitor in "Mamma Mia." But he's never quite shook his straight-postured, good guy charm.

But now, Oscar secured, he may be ready to venture out for truly different roles.

According to Twitch, Firth is eying the role of the villian in Spike Lee's upcoming remake of "Oldboy."

Originally, "Oldboy" was a South Korean film, directed by Park Chan-wook and released in 2003. The movie follows the story of someone held captive in hotel room for 15 years without knowing why. When he is finally released, finds himself in a new prison of conspiracy and violence.

Reportedly, the bad guy role has been offered to Firth, and if he were to accept, he'll be shedding his sweetheart exterior and stepping into the insidious role of Adrian, opposite Josh Brolin.

In the meantime, Firth will be doing what he does best (a discerning Brit in a three piece suit) in "Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy."

What do you think of this potential development? Can Colin play the bad guy?

American Superstar

 

Colin Firth Might Be the Villain in Spike Lee's 'Oldboy' Remake

November 12, 2011 05:38:39 GMT

The 'Bridget Jones's Diary' actor has been offered to play Adrian, who is the nemesis of Josh Brolin's lead character.

---

Photo credit: /WENN

After playing a British king in "The King's Speech", Colin Firth might become a villain in his next movie. The 51-year-old Oscar-winning actor has been offered to tackle the main antagonist in a remake of Park Chan-wook's South Korean revenge classic, "Oldboy".

Twitch reported that Firth has been eyed to play Adrian, a role which was previously offered to Christian Bale. Adrian is described as the nemesis of Josh Brolin's lead character. While the male lead has already been tapped, the film project is still looking for an actress to play the female lead. Previously, Rooney Mara became the top pick to star as the leading woman, but she turned the offer down.

"Oldboy" centers on a recently paroled middle-aged man, who spent 15 years in prison without any explanation as to why he was jailed. He then seeks revenge on those who conspired against him. The original version of the movie was released in 2003 and won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

DreamWorks was actually planning to develop the remake back in 2008. At that time, the studio was in the early talks with Steven Spielberg and Will Smith to direct and star in the project respectively. However, a deal had never been sealed until it was confirmed that the remake will be developed at Mandate Pictures with Spike Lee serving behind the lens and "Thor" scribe Mark Protosevich penning the script.

Aceshowbiz

Colin Firth To Make Josh Brolin’s Life Hell In OLDBOY Remake?

November 12, 2011 10:17 am

 

Director Spike Lee had wanted Christian Bale to play the tortured villain part in his English-language remake of Chan-wook Park’s Korean epic Oldboy but with The Dark Knight Rises actor seemingly reluctant, Lee is turning attention elsewhere.

Twitch, the source of all information concerning this remake, say Lee has made an official offer to Colin Firth to play Adrian, one of the last decade’s most disturbed villains. He is the guy who imprisons our lead Joe (Dae-su Oh in the Korean original but Josh Brolin in the new remake) for 15 years before setting him free onto the world, but giving him only four days to work out the reason for his imprisonment, or else his daughter will be killed. This leads to one of recent cinema’s most memorable climaxes where Firth & Brolin would square off and as much as I hate the idea of remaking such a perfect film, I can’t help but be intrigued to see the mastery of acting Brolin and Firth could pull off with this material.

And for Firth it would be an unusually dark and villainous role for the actor whose clean cut image from girly romances Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones, Mamma Mia and Love Actually (not an exhaustive list) AND his much loved and Oscar winning portrayal of a favoured former King of England with The King’s Speech just last year, would be truly forgotten here. Sure he shook that image up a bit with the spy thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy but this would be like Tom Hanks in Road To Perdition or Henry Fonda in Once Upon A Time In The West for the public image twist.
A fascinating choice and one that could make the film great. Though we are told not to expect everything from the original film translated over as Mark Protosevich’s (I Am Legend) script is said to be more faithful to the 1990′s manga series from Nobuaki Minegishi and Garon Tsuchiya that the 2003 film was based on.

Oldboy is expected to begin filming late summer next year so I imagine Firth has at least until the New Year to decide whether he wants to do the movie and in some ways it may end up being a kick in the teeth for Park Chan-wook as Firth was recently attached to his slow-moving vampire film Stoker and if he were to jump ship and get into bed with Mandate Pictures’ remake of his previous work, well that would suck big time for him. Could Firth really do that to Chan-wook?
Meanwhile Spike Lee is still trying to find a young woman to play Josh Brolin’s daughter in the film. He had offered the role to Rooney Mara but she wasn’t interested in doing another dark crime thriller so soon after The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, especially with Sony likely wanting a sequel to that film not too long down the line.

Tags: Colin Firth Josh-Brolin Oldboy Spike-Lee

About the author

Matt Holmes, the co-founder of Obsessed With Film, is back to his blogging roots...writing daily stream-of-consciousness posts for you all to digest, dissect and discuss. Personal rants, photo diaries, maybe even politics. But mostly movie stuff.

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BREAKING: Colin Firth Offered Villain Role In OLDBOY

Film News

by Todd Brown, November 11, 2011 2:34 PM

Thriller, USA & Canada

At one point actor Colin Firth was attached to play a key role in Oldboy director Park Chan-wook's English language debut, Stoker. That didn't work out but now Firth may very well end up playing the villain role in Spike Lee's upcoming remake of Park's Oldboy.

Twitch has learned that an offer is out to Firth for the part of Adrian, which means that - should he accept - he will be stepping into the villain role opposite Josh Brolin.

This is a surprising choice but a good one, I think. Though Firth is best known for playing a variety of good guys and proper gentlemen he is a talented and diverse actor, one more than capable of going dark when the material calls for it and he will certain provide the surface layer of polished civility that this particular role requires as counterpoint to the more brutish antihero in the lead.

More from Oldboy

• News: Rooney Mara Says No To OLDBOY
• News: Rooney Mara Targeted For OLDBOY
• News: CONFIRMED: Josh Brolin Is Spike Lee's OLDBOY
• News: Will Christian Bale Play The Villain In Spike Lee's OLDBOY?
• News: Mandate Wants Josh Brolin For Spike Lee's OLDBOY. Can He Fill Choi Min-Sik's Shoes?
• News: Movie Or Manga, What Is Being Adapted For Spike Lee's OLDBOY?
• News: CONFIRMED: Spike Lee To Direct OLDBOY Remake

Twitch