I Am Legend Writer Behind Oldboy Remake

Mark Protosevich, writer of The Cell, Poseidon and I Am Legend, is in early talks to write the upcoming remake of Oldboy, which Steven Spielberg will direct with Legend star Will Smith in the lead role.

In original, directed by Chan-wook Park, a man gets kidnapped and is held in a shabby cell for 15 years without explanation. Suddenly, he’s released and given money, a cell phone and clothes and is set on a path to discover who destroyed his life so he can take revenge.

DreamWorks secured the remake rights from Mandate Pictures, which also is staying involved in the project. Although the studio was meeting with several high-profile writers to do the adaptation, Smith invited Protosevich to meet with Spielberg on the project.

Protosevich is also scripting Marvel’s Thor, which Kenneth Branagh is attached to direct for a 2010 release.

The original Oldboy is the second flick in Park’s Revenge Trilogy. The first is Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and the third is Lady Vengeance.