If this sounds vaguely familiar, well, it's because this remake has been brewing for a while. Way back in 2009, Charlize Theron was already putting together a remake of Park Chan-wook's excellent "Sympathy For Lady Vengeance," a film that was part of a loose trilogy that started with "Sympathy For Mr.Vengeance" and continued by "Oldboy," which is currently getting the Hollywood treatment by Spike Lee. Danny Boyle was rumored to direct but nothing was formal, but it now seems she's found the talent to help put it together.
Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures are teaming with Theron's Denver & Deliah Films, along with CJ Entertainment for the 'Sympathy' remake, which "The Departed" writer and "London Boulevard" helmer William Monahan will adapt. The story follows a woman who for reasons of her own completes a prison term for a murder she did not commit, reemerging to punish the killer and avenge the dead. The original was some pretty gritty and beautifully shot stuff, and Monahan is bullish about his version.
“This will be very American – and very unexpected,” says Monahan. “Park is a genius; it’s the Everest of adaptations and I've got blood in my teeth to do it.”
No word yet on when production might begin — Theron has just finished "Mad Max: Fury Road" — but both look more or less available at the moment, so perhaps next year? We shall see, but we're certainly intrigued.