Deadline reports that A Fistful of Dollars, Sergio Leone’s unofficial remake of Kurosawa’s Yojimbo, is getting an official remake.
Relatively few details are known about the plans or the schedule, but the film will be produced by Euro Gang Entertainment, FPC and Rome-based Jolly Film. You can find more information about each from the Deadline article, but we are talking about production companies and producers behind such films as The Talented Mr Ripley, The English Patient, The Life Aquatic, From Dusk Til Dawn, 300, and the original A Fistful of Dollars.
The original A Fistful of Dollars launched the careers of director Sergio Leone as well as the film’s leading man, Clint Eastwood. As it was an unauthorised remake that quite blatantly copied Yojimbo, Kurosawa contacted the Italian filmmakers and argued that his production company and Toho were due a cut of the film’s revenue. Kurosawa reportedly ended up making more from A Fistful of Dollars than he had from his own film.
I assume whoever is behind this is aware of the legal battles involved, presumably they have asked some lawyers who will sell the rights cheapest. Didn’t the recent Magnificent Seven remake reboot itself as a Kurosawa remake?
But it could be interesting, nonetheless. Big shoes to fill for whoever gets the part. I can’t think off-hand what actor of the right age now could pull off the part. Michael Fassbender perhaps?