Asian producers see potential in remakes
Kim directing new take on French 'Junkmen'
Thriller is the first to be advanced under a three-picture deal between France's StudioCanal and Lion Rock Prods., John Woo and Terence Chang's Los Angeles production shingle. The Asian filmmakers plan to tap into the Gallic conglom's extensive library of French and English-language titles for possible remakes. "I'm a big fan of French noir, especially Claude Sautet's films, and I'd like to move this one to modern times," Kim tells Variety.
Sautet's "Max" had the titular lonesome detective (Michel Piccoli) setting up some small-time thieves to pull a heist, thinking he'd arrest them and boost his flagging reputation. But Max falls for the gang leader's gal, played by Romy Schneider.
"It will be important to concentrate on the two central characters' relationship and keep the emotions," Kim says.
Pic, to be titled simply "Max," will be made as an English-language retread scripted by Howard Rodman and possibly set in the U.S. Budget and casting have yet to be determined, though StudioCanal says it would aim for significant star power and delivery in spring 2009.
Kim says "Max" will be his next helming gig.
"Max" is set up as a production involving Zip Cinema's Lee Eugene, Chang and Woo, and Black Mask Prods.' Hugo Bergson-Vuillaume. StudioCanal's senior veep Ron Halpern will take an exec producer credit. Kim, Lee and Chang are CAA clients.
Development to date is covered by StudioCanal. It's envisaged that "Max" will be fully financed by StudioCanal, which may take international rights.
The Kim deal ties down one of Asia's brightest young helming talent. The reported $17 million budget of "The Good ... ," an energetic Korean Western, is on the high side by Korean standards. Its enthusiastic Cannes reception looks set to broaden Kim's considerable following.
'Kim's one of the best directors working today," Chang says. "He can do anything."
Echoes StudioCanal CEO Olivier Courson, "I was incredibly impressed by 'A Bittersweet Life,' and the solitary character there has parallels in 'Max.' "
The "Max" redo also underscores the ranging ambition of StudioCanal's amped-up production strategy under Courson. It's a forceful reminder that, with movies in the mid-budget range or below, a bevy of Gallic companies are moving in on key talent. And their radar's not limited to Europe.
StudioCanal remains fully committed to producing high-profile French films, usually in the $11 million-$19 million range, Courson explains.
But it will also make "auteur films with commercial potential, and more entertainment-driven, 'biggest-budget' films. For the latter, at $60 million-$70 million, we're look for U.S. partners," he adds.
"We want to make international titles that are very ambitious and very entertaining. Thrillers fit both descriptions," Courson says.
Further titles will be produced by Will Clarke at StudioCanal's U.K. subsid Optimum Releasing. During Cannes, Clarke announced Brit redos of "Brighton Rock" and 1981 French hitman thriller "Le Choc."
Courson says StudioCanal is "highly interested" in working with Asian talent. Last year, it produced Wong Kar-wai's "My Blueberry Nights." It's now preparing a Johnnie To-helmed remake of "Le Cercle Rouge." That pic, budgeted at roughly $35 million, has a start date of Sept 20.
StudioCanal confirmed its Neil Moritz-produced remake of "Escape From New York" remains on course, even after New Line Cinema's downsizing.
