Sony ‘Experiments’ with Paul Scheuring’s Remake

Sony Pictures sees some box office potential in The Experiment. The studio picked up the rights to the pic currently in production, and I imagine this will go the Screen Gems route and be marketed towards the hoards of young male viewers (the 18-25 demo) and perhaps the older generation who remember Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman in Franklin J. Schaffner’s Papillon or those who miss the Alcatraz pics. Less of a prison escape film and more of a psychological drama/thriller, the lets play dress up experiment was already made into a hit German film and is being lensed by a filmmaker who knows a thing or two about working in tight spaces, concrete walls, barbed wire and cell life. Having seen the original, personally I’m hoping that Prison Break director Paul Scheuring goes all out with this – “Gitmo” style.

THR also reports that Elijah Wood has been replaced by unknown Travis Fimmel (Surfer, Dude). The ensemble male pic with Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker toplining, revolves around several dozen men who, as part of a scientific experiment, are chosen to simulate the roles of prisoners and guards, prompting a host of dark consequences. The story is based on an incident at Stanford University in 1971 – for a fuller idea on how the experiment went into meltdown mode – continue reading here. 

How many of you saw the original? And do you think this remake will be more than just an “English” translation?