Lionsgate & Park Chan-wook team for English-language ‘Oldboy’ remake

Oldboy (Source: AJ Pics/Alamy Stock Photo)

Lionsgate Television is partnering with South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook to develop an English-language series adaptation of his 2003 thriller Oldboy.

Park directed and co-wrote the film, which was based on Japanese manga of the same name, and will produce the new series adaptation alongside Syd Lim.

Courtney Mock and Tara Joshi are meanwhile overseeing the project for Lionsgate Television.

Oldboy tells the story of a man who is kidnapped and held inside a hotel room-like cell for 15 years with no idea of his captor or their motives. Eventually released, he sets out to find those responsible and learn why he was imprisoned.

The series will be the second English-language adaptation of Oldboy, following a US theatrical version released in 2013, directed by Spike Lee.

“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.”

“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 for Lionsgate Television.