Introduction to a New Thriller
Neon has partnered with Korean director Park Chan-Wook and Studio CJ ENM to acquire the North American rights to the violent comedy thriller "No Other Choice". This move comes after the success of "Parasite", which was also a collaboration between Neon and CJ ENM.
The Plot of "No Other Choice"
The Korean film stars Royalty Lee Byung-Hun and Son Ye-jin in a thriller about a man named Man-Soo, who is abruptly laid off from his job at a paper company after years of dedicated service. Desperate and struggling to find new employment, Man-Soo takes a dark turn and decides to kill his potential employers. Son plays the role of Man-Soo’s wife, Mi-Ri, a warm-hearted character who supports her husband through his struggles.
Themes and Inspiration
"No Other Choice" is the 12th film from director Park Chan-Wook, and it is an adaptation of American novelist Donald Westlake’s 1996 novel "The Ax". The film reflects on the underlying economic and political tensions in South Korea, using the core story as a backdrop to explore these themes. The novel was previously adapted into a French film called "The Ax" in 2005 by director Costa Gavras.
Cast and Production
The ensemble cast for Chan-Wook’s Korean adaptation includes Park Hee-Son, Lee Sung-Min, Yeom Hye-Ran, Cha Seung-Won, and Yoo Yeon-Seok. The film is financed by CJ ENM, who has teamed up with Neon to bring this project to life. Neon and Chan-Wook have previously worked together on the re-release of "Oldboy" in 2023, celebrating the film’s 20th anniversary.
Release and Expectations
"No Other Choice" is currently in post-production, and Neon is expecting a successful release following the Oscar-winning success of "Parasite". The producers of the film include Chan-Wook, Back Jisun, Michèle Ray Gavras, and Alexandre Gavras, with Miky Lee serving as executive producer. The North American sales contract was negotiated by Jason Wald for Neon and Namyoung Kim at CJ ENM.
