The critically acclaimed film Oldboy originating from director and writer Park Chan-wook (The Handmaiden) is in development towards a new series. According to Deadline, the feature film will be recreated as an English-language series for the first time. Chan-wook is set to produce the new series with his producing partner Syd Lim.
The original film is an adaptation of a manga. Created in 2003, the film and Japanese manga share the same title and is written by Garon Tsuchiya. The source material centers around a man named Oh Dae-Su who is locked away in prison for 15 years after he is taken from the streets. Upon his random release from prison, he is given only five days to track down and find the person who originally captured him.
Oldboy is originally part of a trio of films, serving as the second title in the Vengeance trilogy. It comes after the film Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and before the film Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. The film reached success with being the first South Korean film to be included in the Grand Prix and the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. Oldboy was also remade in 2013 by Spike Lee (BlacKKKlansman, Do The Right Thing) with Josh Brolin (The Goonies) in the leading role.
Park told Deadline about his excitement for the new adaptation into the world of television. “Lionsgate Television shares my creative vision for bringing Oldboy into the world of television,” he said, “I look forward to working with a studio whose brand stands for bold, original and risk-taking storytelling.
Scott Herbst, the EVP and the Head of Scripted Development at Lionsgate Television, where Oldboy will be produced, also shared his excitement for the series. 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,” shared 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.”