Oldboy, the South Korean thriller, is often hailed as a classic even though it’s only been around for 21 years. It’s getting a makeover for TV.
Lionsgate Television is joining forces with Park Chan-wook for this venture. They’re planning the first English-language series adaptation of his 2003 film. This film, originally adapted from a Japanese manga, was a trailblazer. It snagged the Grand Prix at Cannes, marking a first for South Korean cinema.
Park, the original film’s director and co-writer, is on board as a producer. He’s teaming up with Syd Lim for this project.
The storyline of Oldboy is gripping. It’s about a man, portrayed by Choi Min-sik in the 2003 movie, who gets out of prison after 15 years. He then has just five days to track down his captor. This film is a part of Park’s Vengeance trilogy. It’s a series that also includes Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005).
Park’s portfolio is impressive. Besides Oldboy, he’s known for producing the Snowpiercer film and its TV series adaptation. Recently, he produced and directed HBO‘s The Sympathizer. The show stars Hoa Xuande, alongside Robert Downey, Jr.
Park shared his excitement about the adaptation. He said, “Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing Oldboy into the world of television. I’m eager to see how they bring this story to life with their bold and original storytelling.”
Scott Herbst, EVP and Head of Scripted Development for Lionsgate Television, also expressed enthusiasm. He mentioned, “Park is one of the most visionary storytellers of our generation. We’re thrilled to work with him on transforming his cinematic masterpiece into a TV series. We aim to capture the raw emotional power, iconic fight scenes, and visceral style that made the film unforgettable.”
