South Korean Film ‘Okja’ Supported By Neflix And Brad Pitt’s Production Company
Director Bong Joon-ho will be returning to an American audience, two years after the release of his 2014 film “Snowpiercer,” according to the news outlet Slash Film.
With the support of Netflix and Brad Pitt’s Plan B production company, Bong will be directing “Okja,” which is centered around a young Korean girl’s friendship with a monster named Okja, according to The Verge.
Netflix is reportedly investing $50 million in the project while Plan B is reportedly co-producing the film.
“It really is a fantastic opportunity for me as a filmmaker,” explained Bong in a statement.
“For Okja, I needed a bigger budget than I had for Snowpiercer and also complete creative freedom. Netflix offered me the two conditions that are difficult to have in hand simultaneously.”
The cast for “Okja” will reportedly include Jake Gyllenhaal, Tilda Swinton and Bill Nighy. The movie is reportedly set to be filmed in both New York City and Korea.
Casting has yet to be decided for the lead role of the girl, who is reportedly from the South Korean province of Gangwon-do. “Okja” is currently in pre-production and is reportedly expected to be released in theaters during the first half of 2017.
It’s not a surprise that Netflix is investing so heavily in the South Korean film. The video-streaming company has been tapping into the Asian market as of late, and is reportedly financing the sequel to “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” as well.
The company also reportedly announced its plans to launch in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan by early 2016.
“Okja” may be the perfect opportunity for Bong, who had his own struggles during the release of “Snowpiercer” after the Weinstein Co. reportedly picked it up and attempted to cut it against the director’s wishes. Although Bong’s intended cut of the film was eventually released, quite a bit of public disagreement and controversy reportedly followed.
Despite the story being centered on a girl’s friendship with a monster, the film may not be a thriller, as Okja is actually not a scary character.
"It is a bulky animal, but with a mild and kind spirit," Bong said in a statement Monday.
“The film is about a warm friendship between a country girl and a brute with stories."