Santiago Segura and Maria Luisa Gutierrez’s production labels, Madrid-based Bowfinger and Amiguetes, are joining Uruguay’s Mother Superior, headed by Gustavo Hernandez and Ignacio Cucovich, to produce a Spanish remake of Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado’s Israeli genre film “Big Bad Wolves.” Its working title is “Lobo Feroz” (Ferocious Wolf).
The 2013 original made an impression at Cannes, Toronto and Busan, and Quentin Tarantino called it “the best film of the year.”
The revenge abduction thriller is headlined by Jose Coronado, a four-time Spanish Academy Goya best actor nominee, and 2012 winner for his work in “No Rest for the Wicked.” Hernandez will direct with “You Shall Not Sleep” scribe Juma Fodde writing.
The revenge-thriller tracks a detective on the trail of a suspected child killer, a former religious studies teacher who was originally arrested for the crime, but allowed to walk free after a clerical error. Taking the law into his own hands, the detective enlists the mother of the most recently murdered child to exact a justice the legal system couldn’t provide.
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The original “Big Bad Wolf” was produced by United Channels Movies. Producers Avraham Pirchi and Chilik Michaeli negotiated the Spanish remake deal with Film Sharks’ CEO Guido Rud and Mother Superior last fall.
The remake will have a special relevance in Latin America. “The phenomenon of insecurity in Spanish-American countries has become critical; everyone feels the effect of violence,” said Hernandez. “It’s common to hear about acts of homicide, kidnapping, assault and corruption, and tragically we are getting used to it.”
Hernández added: “The ambition I have for ‘Lobo Feroz’ comes out of the context of my region, and allows me to develop a catharsis about injustice as a citizen, father and filmmaker.
“My intention is to separate myself from the original film to expose the theme through an agile, raw and visceral thriller, questioning the public about ethical decisions and the responsibilities and consequences the protagonists will suffer for their actions.”
Gutierrez observed: “I think Spain provides many opportunities to make great thriller and suspense films. Gustavo Hernandez is possibly one of the best genre directors in the world today. That’s why every studio, broadcaster and platform is pursuing this project.”
“Lobo Feroz” is scheduled to drop sometime in 2020.