The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
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The Killer - Remake (2023, D: John Woo)
Official Press Release from Deadline.com
Los Angeles, 31 January 2011: Essential Entertainment has joined Lion Rock Productions in its remake of THE KILLER in 3D, currently in pre-production, which will be directed by John H. Lee (A Moment to Remember, Saying Good-bye Oneday) and written by Josh Campbell. Jung Woo-Sung (Reign of Assassins, The Good, The Bad, The Weird) will star in this English language re-telling of John Woo’s iconic action masterpiece, with additional cast to be announced shortly. The film will be produced by Woo (Face/Off, Mission: Impossible II) and Terence Chang under their Lion Rock Productions banner. Essential Entertainment will be handling worldwide sales.
Producer John Woo said: “While all my films are special to me, THE KILLER is truly one of my favorites. We are thrilled to reinvent it as an English-language film and know it’s in capable hands by the incredible visual style and tender emotion John H. Lee brings to all his films.”
John Fremes, President of Worldwide Distribution at Essential Entertainment said: “John Woo’s THE KILLER is one of the most influential and classic action films of all-time. The 3D version will no doubt appeal to fans of the original as well as capture a new generation of enthusiasts.”
Set in present day, an elite Asian assassin risks everything to protect a beautiful singer that he unintentionally blinded, but can only do so with the help of an LAPD detective who is trying to catch him.
THE KILLER in 3D was brought into Essential Entertainment by attorney Howard Frumes from Alexander, Nau, Lawrence, Frumes, & Labowitz, LLP.
Lion Rock Productions has also independently produced, in addition to its numerous studio films, RED CLIFF, the highest grossing film in China at the time of its release, as well as the upcoming martial arts swordplay drama REIGN OF ASSASSINS, released by The Weinstein Company.
At least John Woo and Terrence Chang are producing it, so it will have their input, but 3D!!
Los Angeles, 31 January 2011: Essential Entertainment has joined Lion Rock Productions in its remake of THE KILLER in 3D, currently in pre-production, which will be directed by John H. Lee (A Moment to Remember, Saying Good-bye Oneday) and written by Josh Campbell. Jung Woo-Sung (Reign of Assassins, The Good, The Bad, The Weird) will star in this English language re-telling of John Woo’s iconic action masterpiece, with additional cast to be announced shortly. The film will be produced by Woo (Face/Off, Mission: Impossible II) and Terence Chang under their Lion Rock Productions banner. Essential Entertainment will be handling worldwide sales.
Producer John Woo said: “While all my films are special to me, THE KILLER is truly one of my favorites. We are thrilled to reinvent it as an English-language film and know it’s in capable hands by the incredible visual style and tender emotion John H. Lee brings to all his films.”
John Fremes, President of Worldwide Distribution at Essential Entertainment said: “John Woo’s THE KILLER is one of the most influential and classic action films of all-time. The 3D version will no doubt appeal to fans of the original as well as capture a new generation of enthusiasts.”
Set in present day, an elite Asian assassin risks everything to protect a beautiful singer that he unintentionally blinded, but can only do so with the help of an LAPD detective who is trying to catch him.
THE KILLER in 3D was brought into Essential Entertainment by attorney Howard Frumes from Alexander, Nau, Lawrence, Frumes, & Labowitz, LLP.
Lion Rock Productions has also independently produced, in addition to its numerous studio films, RED CLIFF, the highest grossing film in China at the time of its release, as well as the upcoming martial arts swordplay drama REIGN OF ASSASSINS, released by The Weinstein Company.

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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/rema...ller-underway/
I wish it was a joke.
Making this in 3D sounds really hokey, but I think how well it does depends on who they cast.
Nominations on who should play the Asian assassin?
I wish it was a joke.

Making this in 3D sounds really hokey, but I think how well it does depends on who they cast.
Nominations on who should play the Asian assassin?
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
no...no..no, no no no no....C'mon, WOO! You just did that fucking awesome flick, Red Cliff and now you're...you're letting someone do this?
*sigh* FUUUUUCK
I'm seeing Nicholas Cage as the assassin.
*sigh* FUUUUUCK
I'm seeing Nicholas Cage as the assassin.
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
I can't think of a single Asian-American actor who could play the assassin that would be a box office draw. Russell Wong could probably pull it off, but I don't think he would even be considered.
I can see them possibly looking at Jet Li or maybe even Andy Lau if they want to go with a veteran actor.
Or if they want to go younger, they could look at that guy Rain who was in Ninja Assassin.
I can see them possibly looking at Jet Li or maybe even Andy Lau if they want to go with a veteran actor.
Or if they want to go younger, they could look at that guy Rain who was in Ninja Assassin.
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
I can't think of a single Asian-American actor who could play the assassin that would be a box office draw. Russell Wong could probably pull it off, but I don't think he would even be considered.
I can see them possibly looking at Jet Li or maybe even Andy Lau if they want to go with a veteran actor.
Or if they want to go younger, they could look at that guy Rain who was in Ninja Assassin.
I can see them possibly looking at Jet Li or maybe even Andy Lau if they want to go with a veteran actor.
Or if they want to go younger, they could look at that guy Rain who was in Ninja Assassin.
#15
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
And I think Jay Chou is a little too young to play a credible hitman like Ah Jong from the original Killer.
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
If you like Wuxia and Woo you should check it out.
So now back to the complaining...
#19
Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
I have never understood the appeal of John Woo film's beyond my ability to form a simple deduction that he makes silly, overdone action films that appeal to fans of ridiculousness. 
Red Cliff was over-rated too... I found it to be a total snooze-fest.
(Please Note: I have not seen the original The Killer. Maybe that is where I went wrong?)

Red Cliff was over-rated too... I found it to be a total snooze-fest.
(Please Note: I have not seen the original The Killer. Maybe that is where I went wrong?)
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
I can't think of a single Asian-American actor who could play the assassin that would be a box office draw. Russell Wong could probably pull it off, but I don't think he would even be considered.
I can see them possibly looking at Jet Li or maybe even Andy Lau if they want to go with a veteran actor.
Or if they want to go younger, they could look at that guy Rain who was in Ninja Assassin.
I can see them possibly looking at Jet Li or maybe even Andy Lau if they want to go with a veteran actor.
Or if they want to go younger, they could look at that guy Rain who was in Ninja Assassin.
How about Jay Chou as tequila? He was pretty good in the green hornet.
Keanu Reeves -- I heard he was part Asian.
#21
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
From my OP in the press release:
Set in present day, an elite Asian assassin risks everything to protect a beautiful singer that he unintentionally blinded, but can only do so with the help of an LAPD detective who is trying to catch him.
Set in present day, an elite Asian assassin risks everything to protect a beautiful singer that he unintentionally blinded, but can only do so with the help of an LAPD detective who is trying to catch him.
#22
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
I have never understood the appeal of John Woo film's beyond my ability to form a simple deduction that he makes silly, overdone action films that appeal to fans of ridiculousness. 
Red Cliff was over-rated too... I found it to be a total snooze-fest.
(Please Note: I have not seen the original The Killer. Maybe that is where I went wrong?)

Red Cliff was over-rated too... I found it to be a total snooze-fest.
(Please Note: I have not seen the original The Killer. Maybe that is where I went wrong?)

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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
I have never understood the appeal of John Woo film's beyond my ability to form a simple deduction that he makes silly, overdone action films that appeal to fans of ridiculousness. 
Red Cliff was over-rated too... I found it to be a total snooze-fest.
(Please Note: I have not seen the original The Killer. Maybe that is where I went wrong?)

Red Cliff was over-rated too... I found it to be a total snooze-fest.
(Please Note: I have not seen the original The Killer. Maybe that is where I went wrong?)
Red Cliff was awesome. His HK flicks are like...films to literally study in style and composition...in at least the action genre. Man....I miss HK John Woo...
#24
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Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
Woo's gun play movies are over the top, but they are unique and have made their mark in Hong Kong film history. And they have also influenced alot of American directors in the visual style. Out of all of Woo's American movies, Face/Off came pretty close to capturing the magic of his Hong Kong days IMO.
And for the record, Red Cliff is fricking amazing. The almost 5 hour International Cut is probably one of the best Chinese period war movies in the last decade.
And for the record, Red Cliff is fricking amazing. The almost 5 hour International Cut is probably one of the best Chinese period war movies in the last decade.
#25
Re: John Woo Producing The Killer remake in 3D!!
Woo's "Killer" is in my personal Top 5. I just look at it this way: nothing can erase the original film from existence and a poor 3D remake will only serve as a punctuation mark on the original as Woo's definitive work.