Memento remake announcement from AMBI draws derision online

The Oscar-nominated indie thriller, originally released in 2000, stars Guy Pearce as a man trying to solve his wife's murder despite being unable to retain short-term memories. 

Nolan, now known for such big-budget blockbusters as Interstellar, Inception and The Dark Knight, directed Memento based on a short story penned by his brother, Jonathan.

"Memento is a masterpiece that leaves audiences guessing not just throughout the film, but long after as well, which is a testament to its daring approach. We intend to stay true to Christopher Nolan's vision and deliver a memorable movie that is every bit as edgy, iconic and award-worthy as the original," Italian business woman and AMBI co-founder Monika Bacardi, who runs the firm with producer Andrea Iervolino, said in a statement issued Monday.

"It's a big responsibility to deliver something that lives up to the mastery of the original, but we are extremely excited and motivated to bring this puzzle back to life and back into the minds of moviegoers."

The company, which launched a $200-million US film fund last week, is able to remake the film after having acquired the 400-title library of Exclusive Media Group, which also produced such movies as Cruel Intentions, The Passion of the Christ, The Mexican and Donnie Darko.