Park Chan-wook,the critically acclaimed South Korean director, is set to adapt his 2003 cinematic hitOldboyinto an English-language series, collaborating with Lionsgate Television.
PerDeadline,this will be the first time that Park will transition a work that cemented his status in international cinema into a television format. Park has expressed his enthusiasm about the new project, saying:
“Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing Oldboy into the world of television. I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original and risk-taking storytelling.”
Scott Herbst, EVP and Head of Scripted Development at Lionsgate Television, mirrors the director’s sentiment. He said:
“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.”
Park Chan-wook Expands Vengeance Trilogy with Oldboy Adaptation
The originalOldboyfilm, which is a gripping adaptation of the Japanese manga by Garon Tsuchiya, tells the story of Oh Dae-su, portrayed by Choi Min-sik. Oh Dae-su is abruptly abducted and held captive for 15 years without explanation.Upon his equally mysterious release, he has five days to unravel the identity of his captor and the reasons behind his long imprisonment. This narrative forms the dark heart of what is known as Park’s Vengeance trilogy, which also includesSympathy for Mr. Vengeance(2002) andSympathy for Lady Vengeance(2005).
Apart fromOldboy,Park Chan-wook has garnered international acclaimwith films likeThe Handmaiden(2016) andDecision to Leave(2022), the latter earning him a Best Director award at Cannes. His recent ventures include producing and directingThe Sympathizerstarring Robert Downey, Jr., which is currently airing on HBO. Additionally, Park is involved in the upcoming Netflix period action thriller,Uprising, set to premiere later this year.
The Sympathizer Review: Park Chan-wook’s Winding Odyssey in Duality
A spy (Hoa Xuande) reports on Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles after the fall of Saigon in HBO’s series, also with Robert Downey Jr. and Sandra Oh.
Oldboy Director Has Mixed Feelings on Spike Lee’s 2013 Remake
Two decades after his groundbreaking filmOldboytook the world by storm, director Park Chan-wook has shared his thoughts on the 2013 remake helmed by Spike Lee, during an interview withInverse. The Korean director, known for his meticulous craftsmanship and gripping narratives,offered a mix of honor and unease in his reaction to seeing his original work reimagined by an esteemed peer.
“I was first of all very honored that it was made by a director I respectand have been personally influenced by. Watching the film,it felt very eerie because it’s the story that I’ve created,but it’s different. It’s almost like a familiar face, but also very new at the same time.… You know when you go to amusement parks and there’s the hall of mirrors and you see your contorted reflections in these strange mirrors? It was a fun experience similar to something like that.”
While Lee’s adaptation maintained key elements of the originalOldboy, Park noted that the remake did not quite reach the heights of visual or emotional resonance that his version did, though he seemed reconciled to the alterations, describing his viewing experience as “fun” but also “eerie.”
