The remake of Thomas Vinterberg’s film “Drunk” starring Mads Mikkelsen has found its director, and we’re very concerned about the result.
In 2021, “Drunk” made waves at the Oscars, winning the award for Best International Film. The film by Thomas Vinterberg, starring Mads Mikkelsen, impressed both audiences and critics with its touching portrayal of Danish high school life and its astute exploration of the ravages of alcohol. Unsurprisingly, after the success of “Parasite” which is set to become a mini-series, the rights to “Drunk” were acquired in 2021 by Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company.
For several years, there was little news about the project, and frankly, we would have preferred not to hear anything more about it. Despite Mads Mikkelsen warning Leonardo DiCaprio about the remake, the project continued forward. The film has now found its director, and from what we can tell, it doesn’t bode well.
After an initial draft of the script by Stuart Blumberg (Oscar-nominated for “The Kids Are All Right”), the production companies Appianway and Makeready have decided to change the screenwriter to Chris Rock, who will also direct the remake. If there was any doubt that the American version would ruin everything, this news gives us yet another reason to fear the worst. In addition to a biopic about Martin Luther King (which does not yet have a release date), Rock, known mostly for comedies (which have generally been less than stellar like “Head of State” and “Top Five”), seems like an unlikely choice to helm a film that addresses the serious issues surrounding alcohol.
And while he seems to be veering towards more “serious” projects, given his upcoming biopic of Martin Luther King, it’s difficult to imagine that this film won’t turn into a B-rate comedy. Bong Joon-ho’s words after “Parasite” won the Oscar in 2020 resonate loudly following this announcement: “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Just four years after its release, one of the best films of recent years is already receiving a Hollywood remake. While a miracle could still happen, it’s hard to believe that this version will surpass the original. As of now, there is no scheduled release date for the “Drunk” remake..
