The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
#76
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Also, he's kinda been pipped at the post in the whole "I wanted the killer to be a woman" aspect. Movies like VILLAINESS, ATOMIC BLONDE, FURIE, BLACK WIDOW, THE WITCH (Korea), OLD GUARD, KATE and so many others have made female assassins and ass-kickers – even conflicted ones – par for the course nowadays, invariably with cutting-edge choreography. Again, fair enough for Woo to throw his hat into that ring, and I know not all of those films I listed are outright classics, but I suspect that the heightened expectations inevitably placed on any remake of THE KILLER may ultimately prove hard to meet.
#77
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
I agree with Brian that this proposed remake would have made sense if it would have been released earlier like it was supposed to as a bunch of this type of movies have been released the past few years so the novelty might have worn off. The other film that is similar also is THE PROTEGE that was released last year.
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Brian T (05-02-22)
#78
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
There was another female assassin title that was eluding me earlier, and THE PROTEGE was it, thanks! That was a pretty decent show (7/10 here), and in comparison to Woo's rehash work on MAN HUNT, I'd say Martin Campbell has proven more adaptable over time – and he's older than Woo! He even made Jackie Chan seem relevant as an actor – briefly – after the latter had long since turned into a communist party puppet cranking out derivative, lowest-common-demominator crap for that market. Sure, Campbell's movies are basically top-drawer B pictures, but he's done more to prove he can produce glossy, efficient thrillers in recent years than Woo has.
#79
#80
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Universal has announced that Lupin‘s Omar Sy will lead John Woo’s reimagining of his 1989 crime drama The Killer for Peacock.
The original film written and directed by Woo watches as the disillusioned assassin Ah Jong (Chow Yun-fat) accepts one last hit, in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to the singer (Sally Yeh) he accidentally blinded. Details as to the reimagining’s plot have not been disclosed. But Woo returns to direct the pic announced earlier this year as one of three Universal originals set to debut on Peacock in 2023. He also serves as its producer.
The screenplay was written by writing partners Matthew Stuecken and Josh Campbell (10 Cloverfield Lane), as well as Eran Creevy (Welcome to the Punch, Collide) and Brian Helgeland (42, Legend). Universal Pictures’ Senior Vice President of Production Development Sara Scott and Creative Development Executive Jacqueline Garell are overseeing the project on behalf of the studio.
Sy is a French actor who rocketed to international stardom with his performance in The Intouchables, which led him to become the first Black thesp to win the César for Best Actor. He currently stars in Netflix’s Lupin, one of the streamer’s most watched non-English language series, which has been renewed for a third installment. He most recently appeared in the WWI drama Father & Soldier, which had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, also producing the pic through his Korokoro production banner.
Sy is represented by CAA and Adequat in France, as well as attorney Warren Dern at Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
The original film written and directed by Woo watches as the disillusioned assassin Ah Jong (Chow Yun-fat) accepts one last hit, in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to the singer (Sally Yeh) he accidentally blinded. Details as to the reimagining’s plot have not been disclosed. But Woo returns to direct the pic announced earlier this year as one of three Universal originals set to debut on Peacock in 2023. He also serves as its producer.
The screenplay was written by writing partners Matthew Stuecken and Josh Campbell (10 Cloverfield Lane), as well as Eran Creevy (Welcome to the Punch, Collide) and Brian Helgeland (42, Legend). Universal Pictures’ Senior Vice President of Production Development Sara Scott and Creative Development Executive Jacqueline Garell are overseeing the project on behalf of the studio.
Sy is a French actor who rocketed to international stardom with his performance in The Intouchables, which led him to become the first Black thesp to win the César for Best Actor. He currently stars in Netflix’s Lupin, one of the streamer’s most watched non-English language series, which has been renewed for a third installment. He most recently appeared in the WWI drama Father & Soldier, which had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, also producing the pic through his Korokoro production banner.
Sy is represented by CAA and Adequat in France, as well as attorney Warren Dern at Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
#82
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Maybe Woo thought he was good in the audition?
I think it would be too on the nose of Woo if he just cast another known Asian actor like Andrew Koji, Daniel Henney etc. He obviously wants to take a completely different direction here.

#83
Banned by request
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Koji would a spectacular choice for this one. He absolutely owns it in Warrior, and he has a great screen presence. I hope he has a very good career post Warrior. And just about all of the cast for the most part.
#84
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Still not stoked about this. After all the talk of the role going to a woman, we’re back to a guy. Fair enough. Omar Sy is a solid actor, but hardly some icon that was born to play the part (I suppose Lupita wasnt either). As I said earlier, the action movie world has left Woo behind. His legacy is set in stone regardless. I’m glad he can still make something at 76 and be the acknowledged influence for so many action filmmakers who came up in his wake, but I just keep going back to MAN HUNT and how generally rote and forgettable it was. Hope that’s not the case here.
#85
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Since I like Omar Sy, this news is pretty good to me.I have no idea how the plot is going to go (I mean yes, the general plot line isn't going to change) but the other central parts of it? And some of it is distinctly Chinese , so they'll obviously have to change it up. But even with the awfulness of Man Hunt (Jun Kunimura was the best part of that film), I'm intrigued at how this going to go with a non Asian character in the lead. And hope it doesn't descend into some really predictable film.
#87
Re: The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Nathalie Emmanuel is set to join the cast of The Killer for Peacock and will star opposite Omar Sy in a leading role.
The two are toplining the reimagining of the 1989 John Woo film, which the auteur director is also set to helm and produce. The original pic starred Chow Yun Fat and follows an assassin who takes one last assignment in order to use his earnings to pay for the surgery that will restore the sight of a singer he blinded. The details behind this new take are unknown.
The screenplay was written by writing partners Matthew Stuecken and Josh Campbell, as well as Eran Creevy and Brian Helgeland.
Nathalie Emmanuel is set to join the cast of The Killer for Peacock and will star opposite Omar Sy in a leading role.
The two are toplining the reimagining of the 1989 John Woo film, which the auteur director is also set to helm and produce. The original pic starred Chow Yun Fat and follows an assassin who takes one last assignment in order to use his earnings to pay for the surgery that will restore the sight of a singer he blinded. The details behind this new take are unknown.
The screenplay was written by writing partners Matthew Stuecken and Josh Campbell, as well as Eran Creevy and Brian Helgeland.
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Berlin Adds Disney Tribute, Donna Summer Doc; Omar Sy Pic Hits Milestone In France; StudioCanal Boss To Keynote At Mip; Constantin Board Adds Former Sony Exec -- Global Briefs
Universal Pictures’ EVP Production Development Sara Scott and creative development executive Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Alex Gartner are producing. Lori Tilkin will also produce for A Better Tomorrow Films.
Peacock announced The Killer as one of three upcoming original films from Universal Pictures and it is scheduled to premiere on the service this year.
The two are toplining the reimagining of the 1989 John Woo film, which the auteur director is also set to helm and produce. The original pic starred Chow Yun Fat and follows an assassin who takes one last assignment in order to use his earnings to pay for the surgery that will restore the sight of a singer he blinded. The details behind this new take are unknown.
The screenplay was written by writing partners Matthew Stuecken and Josh Campbell, as well as Eran Creevy and Brian Helgeland.
Nathalie Emmanuel is set to join the cast of The Killer for Peacock and will star opposite Omar Sy in a leading role.
The two are toplining the reimagining of the 1989 John Woo film, which the auteur director is also set to helm and produce. The original pic starred Chow Yun Fat and follows an assassin who takes one last assignment in order to use his earnings to pay for the surgery that will restore the sight of a singer he blinded. The details behind this new take are unknown.
The screenplay was written by writing partners Matthew Stuecken and Josh Campbell, as well as Eran Creevy and Brian Helgeland.
Related Story
Berlin Adds Disney Tribute, Donna Summer Doc; Omar Sy Pic Hits Milestone In France; StudioCanal Boss To Keynote At Mip; Constantin Board Adds Former Sony Exec -- Global Briefs
Universal Pictures’ EVP Production Development Sara Scott and creative development executive Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Alex Gartner are producing. Lori Tilkin will also produce for A Better Tomorrow Films.
Peacock announced The Killer as one of three upcoming original films from Universal Pictures and it is scheduled to premiere on the service this year.