Spike Lee to Direct Mandate's 'Old Boy'

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Spike Lee is heading back to the world of feature filmmaking, coming on board to direct Old Boy, Mandate’s remake of the South Korean film.

The original movie, an adaptation of a manga, won the Grand Prize Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and is considered a high-mark of Asian cinema.

The English-language remake has had some high-profile flirtations, with Steven Spielberg and Will Smith once circling.

In making the announcement, Mandate describes the story “of a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned on his daughter’s birthday.  For fifteen years, he is held captive, and, upon his release, must begin his journey to find the reason for his imprisonment.  He soon finds out that his kidnapper has plans for him more tortuous than his solitary confinement.”

Mark Protosevich wrote the screenplay and will co-produce. Roy Lee and Doug Davison will produce. Mandate President Nathan Kahane will executive produce.

CAA-repped Lee, whose last feature was 2008’s Miracle at St. Anna, has spent the last several years working on TV documentaries.