New Line Cinema, according to Deadline, is in deep talks with director Timo Tjahjanto to helm the remake of the 2016 South Korean film Train to Busan. The apparent long in development remake will be produced by James Wan, Michael Clear, Nicolas Atlan, and Terry Kalagian. Gary Dauberman is on as producer and will adapt the screenplay.
But why?
The question is asked because Train to Busan is already a close to perfect film. The South Korean horror movie has garnered so much acclaim that in just around five years of release, has largely been seen by United States audiences. While certainly any movie or remake has the potential to be special, the original film already is.
With streaming services in high demand, foreign films have been easier to come by the last few years. Even Netflix was streaming Train to Busan a few months ago. It is increasingly important to have a purpose for the films the industry decides to remake.
A film like Train to Busan is not one of those movies. It is a film that can be understood even without subtitles. The main goal of every character in that movie is to not get eaten by zombies. There is not some wider meaning that can get lost in translation.
However, though cynical and wanting more out of cinema, this still has a chance to be good. Perhaps the studio and writing team has found a new twist on the tale. Perhaps it’s not for money, but for actual artistry. Perhaps the remake will somehow even be better than the original.
All we ask is do not remake Parasite in 2024.
There is no set production date for the Train to Busan remake.
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