The Japanese action/horror/comedy/epic Battle Royale is set for a Hollywood remake to be released in 2011. Here’s my advice to Hollywood: don’t screw this up.

Plot:

Sure, the plotline is a little far-fetched. A group of high schoolers are selected by random lottery to battle to the death on a highly monitored island. Their deaths are punishment for the millions of rebellious Japanese teenagers, a warning to their peers.

What made the original believable was that the movie didn’t really delve into the plot so much as hint at it with some screen text and a bit of exposition. Hollywood would do well to remember that sometimes subtlety is best.

Characters:

The film is primarily character driven, which is what most fans will be looking for. Battle Royale thrives on fleshing out many characters in a short span of time, making the audience understand the kids and their reasons for why they die. Short flashbacks to the characters’ lives are interesting tidbits and help further the plot without feeling heavy-handed.

The most important characters should be played by talented young actors. I am thinking kids like Anton Yelchin, Emily Browning, and Jamie Bell, instead of the mindless Hollywood choices like Hilary Duff or Zach Effron. This might help give the film more credentials.

Violence/Subversive Themes:

We know that American movies don’t shy away from violence, which is a relief. Brutal, creative death may be the one thing that can be assured for the remake. However, it is important that the movie remembers to include the more unsavory aspects of the film, including flashbacks to child molestation, suicide, and a present time attempted rape. The movie should be gritty, raw, and in keeping with the original.

I can’t say for sure that I’m looking forward to the remake, but if they heed my advice I’ll be first in line.