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Scott Mann to Direct Weinstein Company's 'Seven Samurai' Remake

by Ethan Anderton
May 3, 2011
Source: Variety

It's been over three years since we've heard anything about the remake of Akira Kurosawa's classic film Seven Samurai from The Weinstein Company, but today brings news of the first real development on the project. Variety reports British director Scott Mann, the man behind The Tournament will be at the helm of the remake which also has the backing of Japan's Kurosawa Productions. This new version of the classic film will apparently be a contemporary telling of the original 1954 film about a town in Northern Thailand that recruits seven paramilitary contractors from around the globe to defend it from an imminent attack.

If you haven't heard of Mann, don't worry, because he may be more of a familiar name as a cult director. Though I haven't seen The Tournament, apparently the film starring Robert Carlyle and Ving Rhames has gotten quite a lot of underground attention in Britain and the United States. Writer John Fusco (The Forbidden Kingdom) has been working on the project for about a year and a half. Honestly, no matter who's involved, a remake of such an iconic and classic film just seems like a complete waste of time. There's a chance Mann and Fusco can do something interesting with a contemporary version, but as of now, I just don't have any interest. How about you?

Explore tags: Development, Movie News, Opinions

Oduaiki

To call the original a classic would not do it justice. It was a masterpiece and one of the finest films ever made. A remake already was a questionable idea, but a contemporary version will more than likely ruin what made the original so iconic.

Xerxexx

I doubt that, this film is a masterpiece and its already been remade before in "The Magnificent Seven" and that was an amazing western, so perhaps a remake for our time could be as good as Seven Samurai, maybe better...it all comes down to a director, screenwriter, producer, and the cast.

Chris A.

The Magnificent Seven was indeed awesome. But now with today's idiots running the studios, I have serious doubts about this. I mean this is the same studio that released a PG-13 version of The Kings Speech....

Xerxexx

I agree there is a lot of untalented people running hollyweird these days. I got faith, small amounts though.

Anonymous

i think Oduaiki and Xerxex are *both* right. a classic is a classic because it has a long-term, enduring quality that far outweighs and outlasts any contemporary copies. Kurosawa's is one of the few films that deserves to be called a masterpiece. i can't stand the idea of remakes in general, it smacks of desperation. but if the new version can bring a new interpretation to screen that has something new to say (Cronenberg's The Fly, John McTiernan's Thomas Crown Affair, Soderbergh's Ocean's 11, The Departed) then i'm quite happy. if it's just a shameless retread (like the Jude Law Alfie, the Coen's Ladykillers, the 2006 version of the Omen and far, far too many recent horror carbon copies to name) that tries to say or do nothing new, then it only reinforces my jaundiced view of studio execs. but just as i have talked myself into somehow accepting it, Chris A reminds me this is the Weinstein's. and then the word 'contemporary' just means 'we saw The Expendables and thought we'd give it a go'.

Xerxexx

If it comes out and bombs I'll go out and but Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven and burn the remake outta my head.

Nick S.

^ what he said
JWoww

Jackie Chan, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, Dolph Lundgren, Kurt Angle, Gary Daniels and Michael Jai White as the paramilitary contractors

jah p

JWoww, I hope you'r kidding right?

Xerxexx

Who knows this remake could be decent...The Magnificent Seven was a great take on what Kurosawa made...so maybe Mann can do something great.
Armeetapus16

Well, I knew this was gonna happen sooner or later, as much as I didn't want it to. But I usually enjoy the concepts of remakes, so I'll be following this to see what happens.
Quazzimotto

The phrase "contemporary setting" is what bothers me. So is hearing the guy who wrote the "Forbidden Kingdom" is penning this, really doesn't improve my hopes at all. If they could pull off a "Last Samurai" style film, set in the Era of the original 7 with a decent writer...this could have potential. Not feeling a contemporary remake on a cinematic masterpiece. Think they could make a contemporary remake of "The Bridge Over the River Kwai"? Me either.
Chris A.

What is this, I don't even......
Nosferatu

Seven Samurai has been one of my most favorite movies. I see no reason to remake it. However, it if must be done make everything put into it you have and don't screw it up.
http://twitter.com/darktaxidermist David Perretta

Well The Tournament was pretty bad (except for the idea and Kelly Hu).

http://www.facebook.com/people/Matthew-Sam-Russell/597160506 Matthew Sam Russell

so true Thus i have low hopes for this remake, specially since it should be left as one of the greats.
http://www.facebook.com/shero.rauf shero

Can you put some spot on why you think The Tournament was pretty bad !??

http://profiles.google.com/jordandan53 Jordan Scott

I love the original film, but I am not opposed to a remake. I am skeptical about the people behind the project, I'd rather a more established director do this. I like the idea of a contemporary setting, it gives the film the potential to be more than just a remake. Nothing can make the original any less of a movie. Modern action films would not exist without the innovations of Kurosawa on Seven Samurai. It will always be considered a classic and nothing anyone else produces can take that away from it. If anything a remake will get more people to watch the original which will only enhance its legacy.

jah p

I agree Jordan, only Clint Eastwood, Fincher or Tarantino can do this film justice that could come close to Seven Samurai and Magnificent Seven...

Anonymous

The Tournament was decent at best. Some impressive over the top elements but overall pretty thin. But as far as a remake, meh, this sounds like we saw it in The Expendables:P
Lamar

I love samurai, and The Tournament was a pretty good action flick so we'll see how this turns out.