Spanish producers making English-language ‘Papillon’ remake?

Atlantia Canarias, a new Spanish production company, is in the early stages of planning a remake of the classic 1973 prison drama ‘Papillon’ directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Huh? Why? The original was incredible, beautiful and perfect … so, I guess they just want to make one in Spanish for other countries to enjoy, right? Wrong! The project will be shot in English and have a $90 million dollar budget, according to producer Branko Lustig (Schindler’s List, Gladiator). Lustig is also teaming as producer with John Kelly (The Black Dahlia) and two other producers to re-remake the acclaimed Henri Charriere autobiography. As of yet, there are no screenwriters or directors attached to the project.