Remake rumblings around John Woo’s action classic The Killer, a 1989 assassin film from Hong Kong, have been buzzing about for some time. At one point, Korean director John H. Lee (A Moment to Remember) was on board to helm the project and Jung Woo-sung (The Good, The Bad, The Weird) was attached to the lead. There was even a promo poster! Now, after a long and tumultuous process, Woo, who was already attached to produce the remake, said it will be his next venture.
While attending the Tokyo International Film Festival, which takes place from October 22-31, ScreenDaily caught up with Woo. The action director said that he will tackle The Killer next after he finishes up with his film Manhunt, an adaptation of the Japanese novel Kimi Yo Fundo No Kawa No Watare by Juko Nishimura:
I have never left [Hollywood]. I still enjoy working with Hollywood. I still have a couple of projects developing in Hollywood. So after Manhunt, I probably will go back to Hollywood to make another action thriller. I’m going to make The Killer in an American version.
Woo said the story was completely different when Lee was on the project. Because it was in development for quite a while, due partially to financing, Lee eventually left to pursue another endeavor. Woo didn’t specify whether he’ll end up taking the helm or proceed in his original role as producer while another director is found.
The Killer starred Chow Yun-Fat as an assassin who accidentally blinds a woman, and he vows to retire after one last hit that to pay for her eye surgery. Back in 2012, John Travolta, who starred in Woo’s Face/Off with Nic Cage, said he was “entertaining the possibility” of doing the remake. Hopefully by now he’s let that chance fall off the radar.
