Fox gives up on Thailand remake

Fox gives up on Thailand remake

BANGKOK (AP): Frustrated by official disapproval over its script, 20th Century Fox announced on Thursday it is dropping Thailand from plans to shoot a new version of "Anna and the King" starring Jodie Foster on location.

Fox said in a statement that shooting for the remake of the classic films "Anna and the King of Siam" and the "The King and I" will instead be shifted to neighboring Malaysia.

The Thai Film Board has twice turned down scripts for the proposed film, saying that they were disrespectful of the 19th Century ruler King Mongkut and the monarchy of Siam, as Thailand was then known.

The remake stars Oscar-winner Foster in the role of Anna Leonowens, the Victorian governess Mongkut hired to teach his children English, and Hong Kong action star Chow Yun Fat as the king.