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| ▲ A poster of "Save the Green Planet!", the debut feature film of Korean filmmaker Jang Joon-hwan, shows in this image provided by CJ ENM on May 20, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Korean filmmaker Jang Joon-hwan's debut feature film "Save the Green Planet!" will be remade in Hollywood. CJ ENM announced on the 20th that the Hollywood remake, titled "Bugonia," has been confirmed for production.
The remake will be directed by acclaimed Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, known for "Poor Things" (2023), "The Favourite" (2019), and "The Lobster" (2017). Top star Emma Stone has been cast in the lead role.
CJ ENM will co-produce the film in collaboration with Square Peg, founded by director Ari Aster, and Element Pictures, which has a longstanding partnership with Lanthimos.
"Bugonia" will retain the core storyline of "Save the Green Planet!," focusing on two protagonists obsessed with a conspiracy theory. They believe the CEO of a prominent pharmaceutical company is an alien intent on destroying Earth and kidnap him as a result.
Originally released in 2003, "Save the Green Planet!" earned Jang Joon-hwan several Best New Director awards, including at the Grand Bell Awards. Although it did not succeed at the box office, the film gained a cult following for its unique storyline and B-movie sensibilities.
CJ ENM has been working on the English-language remake for the past four years.
A source from CJ ENM stated, "We started this project to revive director Jang's ahead-of-its-time imagination, which was not fully appreciated 20 years ago, in a way that suits the current era. We hope this will help showcase valuable assets of the Korean film industry to a wider audience and provide new opportunities for filmmakers."
The release date for "Bugonia" has yet to be announced.
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