‘Red Dawn’ will be digitally altered to replace the Chinese flags and insignias with North Korean symbols. Producer explains the reasons behind the changes.
According to The Los Angeles Times, MGM is to make some alterations to it’s long delayed remake of 1984’s ‘Red Dawn.’
Costing less than $1million the changes will “involve changing an opening sequence summarizing the story’s fictional backdrop, re-editing two scenes and using digital technology to transform many Chinese symbols to Korean.” The alterations are an effort to give the film greater box office appeal in China – which has become one of the most profitable markets for American movies.
“We were initially very reluctant to make any changes,” said producer Tripp Vinson, “But after careful consideration we constructed a way to make a scarier, smarter and more dangerous ‘Red Dawn’ that we believe improves the movie.”
Mike Vollman, executive vice president of worldwide said, “MGM has been working with the film ‘Red Dawn’s’ director and producers to make the most commercially viable version of the film for audiences worldwide. We want to ensure the most people possible are able to experience it.”
The original 1984 film featured a group of small-town teenagers in America’s heartland taking a stand against Soviet invaders – but with the disintegration of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, producers initially decided that Chinese assailants would be more appropriate for the remake.
Directed by Dan Bradley, the remake stars Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, Josh Peck, Isabel Lucas, Connor Cruise and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The movie is currently looking for a distributor.
Producer Tripp Vinson has come out to defend the changes. Talking to AICN he explained the thought process beind the alterations:
“The changes made to ‘Red Dawn’ in the last few weeks were made in consultation with military think tanks and people that specialize in game theory. Really smart people that spend their days constructing doomsday scenarios for our military and government. The type of people that know the limitations of the North Korean military. The type of people that can project a series of events that could lead to some very scary things happening to our Country. I can assure you, we listened well to those people, especially with regards to the capability of the North Korean military.
‘Red Dawn’ isn’t for everyone. So, if you are interested in seeing a movie filled with preachy political discussions – ‘Red Dawn’ ain’t for you. If you love movies in which Americans are the bad guys – Red Dawn ain’t for you. If you get emotional watching daytime television – ‘Red Dawn’ ain’t for you. If you’re a vegetarian – ‘Red Dawn’ probably ain’t for you.
But! If you like meat with your potatoes, muscle cares that roar, tanks, guns and things blowing the fuck up by American’s kicking some Commie ass – the we have something special coming your way.”
WOLVERINES!