Variety has reported that Scott Mann of Mann Made Films has signed on to direct the upcoming remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 masterpiece SEVEN SAMURAI. Mann’s previous work includes THE TOURNAMENT, and DOWN AMONGST THE DEAD MEN, so he seems an interesting choice for The Weinstein Company (TWC), especially given the success of the first SEVEN SAMURAI. Since the announcement of the project, many have been critical of TWC’s decision. Some feel the original 1954 version should stand for itself, and others have pointed to THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN as being more than enough remake for one story. However we’ll see what happens.
Writer John Fusco, whose previous work includes THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, and YOUNG GUNS, has been penning the screenplay for TWC, and some information has already been released. The upcoming remake will attempt to translate the original story into something a bit more contemporary, and will not take place in Japan. Instead of SEVEN SAMURAI, a town in Thailand is going to hire seven paramilitary contractors to defend it against the attackers… sound familiar? I want to know what Fusco is going to actually change, honestly. Kurosawa’s SEVEN SAMURAI is one of the best and most respected pieces of cellulose in film history, and THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN already did everything right to gear it towards an American audience, so what is Fusco going to change?
TWC and Japan’s Kurosawa Productions have teamed up to produce the film, so whatever comes out will have some significant production value, I just honestly don’t know whether audiences are going to go for it. From what I’ve read on the blog-o-sphere, almost no one wants to see this remake. From what I’ve read, almost everyone wants people to watch and appreciate the original SEVEN SAMURAI. From what I’ve seen, SEVEN SAMURAI is an amazing movie, so go find it and see it for what it is. Then, we can all judge the upcoming remake by the greatness of the original, together.