“It can never happen”: Mads Mikkelsen Refuses to Join Leonardo DiCaprio’s Danish Remake That Won the Oscar for 1 Compelling Reason
Mads Mikkelsen finally responded to the news of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Danish remake of Druk (which means binge drinking) and he straight up refused to join the remake version. The Hannibal and Dr. Strange alumni starred in the 2020 black comedy-drama film Druk, which went on to gain massive critical acclaim and even a nod from the Academy Awards.
At the 93rd Academy Awards, it won Best International Feature Film and Thomas Vinterberg was nominated for Best Director. It also received four European Film Awards, including Best Film, and earned four BAFTA Award nominations, winning for Best Film Not in the English Language.
Almost immediately after the Oscars, it was revealed that DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions had won the rights to Druk and was set to make an English version of it. However, Mads Mikkelsen is not having it and has declined to be in the remake for one compelling reason.
Mads Mikkelsen does not want to appear in Leonardo DiCaprio’s Druk remake
The English remake of Druk, called Another Round, is already being highly criticized by the fans. It begs the age-old question that Bong Joon Ho planted in everyone’s mind: when would the Western audience be ready to accept movies with a “one-inch tall barrier of subtitles?” Many are questioning the need for such a remake, as the Danish movie is already well-acknowledged among critics and audiences alike.
It started a debate among netizens about whether a perfectly well-executed project needs to be subjected to countless remakes only to reach a wider audience on the Western front.
Also Read: “I’m a big liar”: Mads Mikkelsen Admits 1 Sad Truth About Himself Despite His Love For Films
While talking to EW, Mads Mikkelsen did express some reservations about the project. He was particularly wary of how Hollywood would manage to translate the drinking culture of Denmark and Americanize it.
“It’s always tricky to make a remake but on the other hand I understand why. Because even though a lot of people might watch [the original], it’s not that big. Having said that I have a hunch that a lot of Americans [have] watched this one. So it’s going to be interesting, the remake. There are some cultural differences with alcohol from nation to nation, especially between Denmark and America.”
However, Mads Mikkelsen also made sure to hint at the solution by asking the makers to focus on the film’s spirit and underlying message rather than the drinking:
“Everyone’s always like, won’t they approach it really differently in America? Maybe. Maybe not. I mean the film is about embracing life and re-finding your life. I think if they get that right, they can have some freedom with the alcohol.”
While talking to IndieWire, Mads Mikkelsen seemed rather apprehensive about reprising one of the most acclaimed roles of his career for Hollywood again. He said matter-of-factly,
“I’m glad not to be part of it.
He then goes on to explain,
“This is what we did. Unlike theater, where you can do it one year and do it again a couple years later, the little moments we do in films are happening right here and now—something interesting your fellow actor brings on set that day. I would probably want to change these scenes again. It can never happen. It’s a tricky thing to replay the same character. It’s better off in someone else’s hands.”
Mads Mikkelsen seems rather happy to give this role a pass.
What did Thomas Vinterberg say about the upcoming remake?
Thomas Vinterberg, on the other hand, seems quite optimistic about the whole ordeal, unlike Mads Mikkelsen. In another interview with IndieWire, he claimed to be quite intrigued by the idea of the film growing into different versions.
“I’ve seen various interpretations of my work before. It’s an interesting artistic thing to see something grow into different versions. Now it’s in the hands of the finest actor you can get and besides being a brilliant actor, he’s made very intelligent choices throughout his career. I feel there’s a lot of integrity in the choices he’s made. I’m full of hope and curiosity about what they’re up to.”
It is surprising since the movie is extremely personal to him, as his daughter Ida passed away days into the filming and the film had a whole newfound meaning based on the tragedy.
Druk is available to watch on Prime Videos
