Headhunters Log

It's also worth noting that Headhunters is
the highest grossing film in Norway
of all time. Hollywood or not, this type
of film making is undoubtedly enjoyed
by the masses.

 

High octane thrillers, typically containing the usual ensemble of BMW's, bombs and boobs, I would say are widely regarded to be a predominantly Hollywood trademark. Therefore it comes of no surprise that 2011's Norwegian produced Headhunters, containing each and everyone of the aforementioned thriller features, already has a Hollywood remake in production.

The film was originally derived from Jo Nesbo's novel of the same name and origin, following the recent influx of Scandinavian/Baltic contemporary entertainment to the west (The Girl with the dragon Tattoo, Wallander etc.), so of course the Norwegian adaptation of a Norwegian novel immediately carries a sense of authenticity about it.

However, director Morten Tyldum himself attended New York's School of Visual Arts, his film idols are "mostly American, Coen Brothers in particular" according to an interview published at Film Journal on the 23rd of April, 2012, also stating he "likes the absurdity of violence". This all adds up to create a product of which is distinctly Hollywood influenced in more ways than one. Tyldum is also quoted as saying about the remake that  "they bought the rights for the book - not my movie" expressing his idea that these film adaptations are only differing translations of the source material and not the definitive portrayal, a thought which I believe is held particularly strong today in our age of remakes and sequels.

"Don't knock it 'till you've seen it."

The idea then, that a Hollywood remake could only pale in comparison to the original, is seemingly an incorrect one - who better to re-adapt heavily Hollywood influenced film than Hollywood itself?