Some directors react angrily to remakes of their films, particular when it’s the title that helped launch their career. Others – such as Funny Games’ Michael Haneke – go so far as to tackle the remake themselves. Nicolas Winding Refn is taking the supportive approach as the UK version of his drug thriller Pusher announces a cast including Paul Kaye, Richard Coyle, Bronson Webb and Agyness Deyn.
Refn’s 1996 original found Kim Bodnia as Frank, a drug dealer whose life seems to be a big bucket of win until a deal goes badly wrong and is busted by the police. He gets away and is able to ditch the dope in a lake, but that leads to a new problem – he’s now in serious debt to his supplier, and that’s a man you don’t want to be in trouble with. Frank’s world becomes a mad scramble to gather up the cash he needs from Copenhagen’s underworld.
The new version, to be directed by Luis Prieto, will switch the setting to London’s seamy criminal veins and boasts Refn as its executive producer.
According to the man himself in a statement picked up by The Hollywood Reporter, "to have Luis Prieto direct the remake in London will be an exciting venture. It’s a classic tale with strong characters and has an engaging narrative. To see my characters, Frank and Tony in London, one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world, is an opportunity not to be missed.”
It all kicks off in London next week.