Korean auteur Park Chan-wook is set to adapt his 2003 masterpiece “Oldboy” as an English-language TV series alongside Lionsgate Television, the studio announced on Wednesday, April 17.
Park, who directed and co-wrote the original action mystery film, is attached to produce the “Oldboy” series adaptation alongside his producing partner Syd Lim.
Park is fresh off “The Sympathizer,” his limited series starring Robert Downey Jr. that just debuted on HBO this past weekend. And while it’s not the first English-language remake of “Oldboy” following Spike Lee’s 2013 film starring Josh Brolin, it will be the first time the film will be adapted for the small screen.
“Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing ‘Oldboy’ into the world of television,” Park said in a statement. “I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original and risk-taking storytelling.”
“Oldboy” was adapted from a Japanese manga of the same name and follows a man who has been trapped and imprisoned for 15 years, only to discover that he must find his captor within five days. The film is famous for a seismic twist, a brutal fight sequence down a claustrophobic hallway with the protagonist wielding only a hammer, and its blood-soaked, stylized revenge story.
The film was the first South Korean movie to win the Grand Prix at Cannes back in 2004, grossing nearly $15 million worldwide. Neon rereleased “Oldboy” last year remastered for its 20th anniversary when it grossed an additional $2.1 million worldwide and managed to land in the domestic top 10 at the box office on its opening weekend. “Oldboy” is part of what’s known as Park’s “Vengeance” trilogy, which also includes “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” and “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.”
“Park is one of the most visionary storytellers of our generation, and we’re excited to partner with him in bringing his cinematic masterpiece to the television screen,” said Scott Herbst, EVP and head of scripted development, Lionsgate Television. “This series adaptation of ‘Oldboy’ will feature the raw emotional power, iconic fight scenes and visceral style that made the film a classic.”
Executives Courtney Mock and Tara Joshi are overseeing the project for Lionsgate Television, and Bryan Weiser negotiated the deal.
Park’s other films include “The Handmaiden,” “Decision to Leave,” “Stoker,” and “Thirst,” and he also produced the film and TV series adaptation of Bong Joon Ho’s movie “Snowpiercer.”
Park is represented by WME, Industry Entertainment and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller. Read IndieWire’s recent interview with Park about “The Sympathizer” here.
