Lionsgate Television has announced an exciting collaboration with acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook to bring a groundbreaking English-language adaptation of his iconic film Oldboy to television. This marks the first time the gripping narrative will be developed for an English-speaking audience, building on the film’s celebrated legacy in global cinema.
Park Chan-wook’s Creative Mastery
Park Chan-wook, renowned for his distinctive visual style and compelling storytelling, directed and co-wrote the original Oldboy, which is celebrated as a masterpiece of modern cinema. The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004 and has been revered as one of the greatest movies of all time. Its adaptation from the Japanese manga of the same name follows the intense journey of a man imprisoned for 15 years and released only to face a deadline to find his captor in five days. The film’s narrative complexity and emotional depth make it a perfect candidate for a deeper exploration through a television series.
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Oldboy is part of Park’s Vengeance Trilogy, which also includes Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. The trilogy’s themes of revenge, morality, and human resilience have resonated with audiences worldwide, making the prospect of an Oldboy series even more compelling. Park’s transition from film to television has been marked by successful projects such as the film and television adaptations of Snowpiercer, and more recently, his work on HBO’s The Sympathizer with Robert Downey, Jr.
A Partnership of Visionary Storytelling
Park expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Lionsgate Television, noting their shared commitment to bold and original storytelling. “Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing Oldboy into the world of television,” Park stated. “I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original, and risk-taking storytelling.”
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Scott Herbst, EVP and Head of Scripted Development at Lionsgate Television, echoed Park’s sentiments. “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,” Herbst said. “This series adaptation of Oldboy will feature the raw emotional power, iconic fight scenes, and visceral style that made the film a classic.”
Oldboy is Coming to TV
The project is being overseen by Lionsgate executives Courtney Mock and Tara Joshi, with Bryan Weiser handling the deal’s negotiation. With such a dynamic team, the series promises to capture the original film’s essence while introducing new layers of storytelling that are possible in the serialized format of television.
The adaptation of Oldboy for television is set to introduce Park Chan-wook’s celebrated narrative to a broader audience and explore the characters and themes of the story with a new depth. As fans of the original film await further details, the collaboration between Lionsgate Television and Park Chan-wook signals a promising new chapter for an already legendary film.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 20,000+ title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
Are you excited about the English-language series adaptation of Oldboy? How do you think the themes of the film will translate to a television series format? What are your expectations from Park Chan-wook’s direction in this new venture? Join the conversation and share your thoughts with us on Discord!
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