Talks on the Hollywood remake of “OTJ” ongoing

MANILA, Philippines—As Erik Matti’s award-winning film “On The Job” (OTJ) continues to wow moviegoers around the world, one reliable source from the Cannes International Film Festival announced that a talk of a possible Hollywood remake of the Filipino film has been ongoing since April 2013.

In a movie review, Canadian film critic Chris Bumbray said that the remake is “already on the books.”

Bumbray also shared his thoughts as to who would be the best actor who could give justice to the role of the hard-core hitman “Tatang”, originally portrayed by seasoned actor Joel Torre.

And he is no less than 3-time Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston of the recently concluded Emmy-winning show “Breaking Bad.”

Reports added that the story rights of “OTJ” had already been bought by the Los Angeles-based production company XYZ Films. Film director Baltasar Kormakur of Iceland (“Contraband,” “2 Guns”)  was also designated to direct the remake.

”OTJ”, which tackles corruption, conspiracy and murder, also stars Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson and Joey Marquez.

Hollywood has already made a few Asian remakes in the recent years. Included in the prominent list was Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed”, based on the crime thriller “Infernal Affairs” by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak.

Just recently, Matti criticized the decision of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) to choose Hannah Espia’s “Transit” as the country’s entry to Hollywood’s Academy Awards in the Foreign-Language Film Category.

“OTJ” has been recently featured at the Directors Fortnight of the 66th Cannes International Film Festival.