Samuel L Jackson joins Oldboy remake

Los Angeles - Samuel L Jackson is set to star in the remake of Oldboy.

The Avengers actor is to portray a character who is horrifically tortured by Josh Brolin's alter-ego Joe Douchett - who finds himself imprisoned for 15 years by a sadistic billionaire without any explanation - in the movie, which was first adapted for the big screen in 2003 by Korean director, Chan-Wook Park.

A source told the Los Angeles Times that Samuel's role is a "small but critical part" in the forthcoming motion picture, which will be directed by Spike Lee.

Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley have also joined the cast of the movie, which is due to start shooting this autumn in Louisiana and New York, with the latter set to play a villain.

Bruce Hornsby - who has worked with Spike on a number of occasions - is to compose the soundtrack to the gritty thriller, which sees Joe go all out to take revenge on those who locked him up in solitary confinement for 15 years for no reason.

It won't be the first time Samuel has worked under Spike's direction after previously starring in School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo Better Blues and Jungle Fever, all of which the filmmaker helmed from 1988 to 1991.