1 Payback for Heroman and Iron Man anime.

2 Variety reported, "The film will tell a stylized version of the story, mixing fantasy elements of the sort seen in 'The Lord of the Rings' pics, with gritty battle scenes akin to those in films such as 'Gladiator.'" In November 2009, Universal entered talks with Rinsch to direct the film. For Rinsch, who has filmed "visual and stylish" blurbs for brands, the film is his feature film debut.

Let me get this straight.... they hired a director whose only experience was in directing commercials?  Yeah, that worked so well for Laura Croft (music videos, but you get the idea.)

Agreed, just shoot me now.

3 Would you like with a M1911A1 or a Remington 870? Because, damn.

4 47?  Won't they need to keep the Ronin above 50 or else they'll explode?

5 That one went right over my head...

6 Pretty sure wahsatchmo was referring to Speed.

In re: 47 Ronin, I've never seen the original (because it is much longer than my attention span has ever been), but that doesn't sound like an auspicious start for a remake to me, either.

7 "Would you like with a M1911A1 or a Remington 870? Because, damn."

Ma Deuce.  When you absolutely, positively have to be sure.

8 Actually, getting a director of commercials makes perfect sense for this. It matches the choice of Keanu Reeves for the lead, and likely the attention span of the intended audience.

I mean, if you want to trash a classic, there's no point in using half measures, is there? By casting Reeves, they've clearly shown they have no understanding and/or total contempt for the source material, so further indignities are to be expected.

When this flops, expect Hollywood intelligentsia to use this as a justification for why such stories are not suitable, and/or an indication that Americans reject "complex" storytelling.