Lionsgate Television is partnering with legendary Korean filmmaker and television creator Park Chan-wook to develop the first English-language series adaptation of his acclaimed film, Oldboy, for television. Park will be producing the series along with producing partner Syd Lim.
“Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing Oldboy into the world of television,” said Park. “I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original and risk-taking storytelling.”
Oldboy is an adaptation of a Japanese manga of the same name and follows a man who is released from prison after years and must find his captor in a few days. The original film earned accolades such as being the first South Korean film to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004 and was named to multiple lists of the greatest movies of all time. Last year, Oldboy was re-released in theaters for its 20th anniversary and indeed in the top ten at the domestic box office in its opening week, a rare feat for a re-release.
“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.”
Since then, Park has become one of cinema’s most revered creative voices, known for directing The Handmaiden, Decision to Leave, for which he won Best Director at Cannes, Stoker, Thirst, and producing both the film and television series Snowpiercer. He is also producing and directing The Sympathizer, which recently premiered on Max.
Stay tuned for more updates on this television adaptation of Oldboy.
