American director Steven Spielberg is reportedly in discussions to produce a remake of the Korean revenge classic Oldboy, starring Will Smith in the lead role.Wired: Spielberg and Will Smith May Redo Bloody Oldboy (November 7, 2008)
Spielberg's production company Dreamworks is in negotiations over the rights to the movie and seeking a writer. The new movie will be distributed by Universal Studios. If the film is made, it will be the first pairing of Smith and Spielberg.Variety: Spielberg, Smith in talks for 'Oldboy' (November 6, 2008)
Oldboy Controversy
The plot of Oldboy follows a man named Dae-Su, who escapes from a locked hotel room after 15 years and seeks revenge on his captors. The revenge sequences include explicit sex and violence, and the movie is nothing like anything either Spielberg or Smith have made before.MTV: Steven Spielberg, Will Smith Eyeing Remake Of Controversal 'Oldboy' (November 7, 2008)
The Oldboy remake is, however, the second adaptation of a manga-based film by Spielberg, who announced in April 2008 that he was planning a live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell 3D.*FirstShowing.net: Spielberg Adapting Ghost in the Shell into Live-Action 3D! (April 14, 2008)