Columbia Pictures has optioned remake and sequel rights to Big Man Japan, which will be developed and produced into a new feature film by Neal H. Moritz through his Original Film banner, it was announced today by Hannah Minghella, president of production for Columbia Pictures. Big Man Japan was a breakthrough hit in Japan in 2007 and a cult hit in the United States in 2009. Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi will write the new adaptation.
Set in a world where monsters wreak havoc, there’s one man who can protect the citizenry: Big Man Japan, who runs the Department of Monster Prevention. Using electricity, he can grow to be 10 stories tall and fight off the most menacing of monsters. The problem is that he’s not very good at his job and often causes as much damage as he prevents. The people believe he’s a joke – and not nearly as good at the job as his father and grandfather were before he took over the family business.
Now, keep in mind (if you aren't aware of it) that Big Man Japan in general was either a love it or hate it mockumentary with pretty good, if absurd, visuals with the premise of "what if Ultraman sucked at his job?"
That being said, it's very likely the absurd setting is gonna be rewritten to be more action packed, and some (if all) features that made the movie interesting are obviously going to be removed for obvious reasons and be changed to something more generic. (i.e. the giant Monsters):
Also, I dunno why I suddenly have the REALLY bad feeling that they'll typecast Jack Black for the role of Big Man...
I heard about this. My Dad, of all people saw the original and told me about it. After looking at the back of the DVD box I can only say "wtf is this about?"
Definitely looks like a great movie for a drunk party night, you may end up making more sense than the movie.
That movie was actually pretty fuckin funny. But don't expect the last 20 minutes of it to make any sense.
TheRoboSleuth
Title: Sleuth Mark IV
Joined: Aug 08 2006
Location: The Gritty Future
Posts: 2739
Posted:
Jun 27 2011 09:27 pm
I watched the original. Its a lot like Ultraman meets This is Spinal Tap. Its funny in a sort of tragic way, seeing a guy who grows giant basically trying to keep sponsors, impress a less than impressed public and basically salvage a failed life as the third in a generation of protectors of Japan.
If they bring it over here, its going to miss the "decline of Japanese institutions" feeling that the native version has, and itll probably lose all of the wry or wierd humor.
If you watch the last part without the benefit of the first part of the movie as the shaggy dog style setup than its not gonna be funny, but if your patient that final stretch will probably be the most hilarious thing you've ever seen.
