26 Sep – Two years since it was confirmed that Korean zombie hit "Train to Busan" was getting the Hollywood treatment, we finally have updates on the project. Horror auteur James Wan is set to produce the English-language remake under his Atomic Monster banner, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Wan will be working alongside Gary Dauberman, who will be writing the screenplay.
The Hollywood remake should be in good hands with these dynamic duo. Dauberman did pen the script to other Wan-produced horror hits including "The Nun" and "Annabelle: Creation", and also wrote the screenplay of 2017's "It" and its upcoming 2019 sequel, "It: Chapter Two". It was reported that several studios were vying for the remake rights since the project hit town over a week ago. New Line Cinema, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate Films and Screen Gems were among those in the bidding war. It was down to Lionsgate and New Line Cinema by Monday, with the latter finally winning on Tuesday. New Line Cinema is no stranger to Wan and Dauberman, since it's the home of many of the duo's movies. Dauberman will also be making his directorial debut next year with New Line's "Annabelle 3".
The original "Train to Busan" was released in 2016, directed by Yeon Sang-ho and starring Gong Yoo as a workaholic father who struggles to keep his young daughter safe aboard a train heading to Busan as they try to outrun the sudden zombie outbreak in South Korea. Its global success spawned not only this Hollywood remake but also a sequel in its home country, which director Yeon is currently working on.