AceShowbiz - 50 First Dates is set to be reimagined once again, this time as a Thai adaptation, marking the sixth international remake of the beloved 2004 romantic comedy. Originally starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, the film is a notable entry in their trilogy of rom-com collaborations, which also includes The Wedding Singer (1998) and Blended (2014).

The original 50 First Dates follows a charming womanizer in Hawai'i who falls for a woman suffering from anterograde amnesia, causing her to forget each day’s events by the next morning. Released in 2004, the movie was a commercial success, ranking as the 15th highest-grossing domestic film that year and earning $198.5 million worldwide against a $75 million budget.

Recently, Variety interviewed Vanridee Pongsittisak, producer of the Thai hit How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, who revealed plans to produce the Thai remake of 50 First Dates. Pongsittisak admitted she was initially reluctant about remakes but made an exception due to her genuine affection for the original film. The new version will be a collaboration between her production company GDH 559 and Sony Pictures International Productions, which also distributed the original in 2004.

According to Pongsittisak, the remake will not just be a straightforward copy but will be updated to feel like a distinctly Thai story. With over two decades since the original’s release, she believes this update is timely and necessary, aiming to ground the story in local culture and nuances.

The decision to relocate the story from its iconic Hawai'i setting to Thailand is a logical step. The original film’s success was partly due to its unique blend of a high-concept premise with the specificity of its tropical locale, which helped audiences connect emotionally. This regional specificity has encouraged multiple other adaptations worldwide.

In fact, the Thai remake is the sixth known international adaptation of the film. The first remake appeared just a year after the original, with the 2005 Iranian film Chap Dast. India has produced two versions: the Telugu-language Satyabhama in 2007 and the Malayalam-language Ormayundo Ee Mukham in 2014. Japan followed with 50 First Kisses in 2018, and Mexico released Como si fuera la primera vez in 2019.

While it remains uncertain whether the Thai adaptation will resonate as broadly as its predecessors outside Thailand, Vanridee Pongsittisak’s previous international success with How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies suggests she has the potential to deliver another breakout hit. Her involvement could help the remake gain traction beyond its home market.

The original 50 First Dates was directed by Peter Segal and featured a screenplay by George Wing. Its production was overseen by Jack Giarraputo and Nancy Juvonen, with an executive producing team including Daniel Lupi, Jay Roach, and Michael Ewing. The film was rated PG-13 and ran for 99 minutes, blending comedy and romance in a way that appealed to a broad audience.

As the Thai production moves forward, fans of the original and international film enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how this new version interprets the beloved story. The global trend of adapting popular Western films for local audiences shows no signs of slowing, and this remake adds to a growing list of culturally tailored romantic comedies drawing from proven concepts.

Given the enduring popularity of 50 First Dates and the fresh perspective promised by the Thai creative team, this remake could offer an intriguing new take on a familiar tale while honoring the heart and humor that made the original a hit worldwide.