Hollywood Seems to Have Abandoned Plans to Remake This Acclaimed Korean Horror Film with 95% Rotten Tomatoes Rating

The trend of American remakes of international films shows no signs of fading in Hollywood, particularly when they originate as box office hits. Thankfully, the proposed remake of the celebrated Korean horror film Train to Busan, which boasts a remarkable Rotten Tomatoes score and widespread acclaim, has been shelved. Recently, Korean cinema has gained recognition for its excellent quality in both film and television. While K-dramas have captured international audiences, Korea’s array of horror films is equally noteworthy.

Train to Busan centers around Seok-woo (played by Gong Yoo), who is traveling with his estranged daughter, Su-an (Kim Su-an), to Busan. The journey takes a terrifying turn when an infected woman boards the train unnoticed, unleashing a zombie apocalypse that spreads like wildfire. Seok-woo, Su-an, and fellow passengers must fight to survive and reach safety in Busan. The film’s critical and commercial success propelled it into a franchise, almost leading it to an American remake.

Warner Bros. Shelved the American Remake of Train to Busan in 2022

The American Remake Process of Train to Busan

The acclaim for Train to Busan stems from its innovative perspective on the zombie genre, its deep character arcs, and its powerful social commentary. Following its success, an animated prequel titled Seoul Station, written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho, was released in 2016. This prequel explores the origins of the zombie outbreak depicted in Train to Busan and received positive reviews from critics. That same year, Gaumont acquired the rights to create an English-language adaptation of the film.

In 2021, it was announced that acclaimed producer James Wan would be involved in the American remake, with Gary Dauberman adapting the screenplay. Shortly after, Timo Tjahjanto was brought on board as director, and the reimagined project was titled The Last Train to New York, planned for an April 21, 2023, release. However, in a surprising turn of events in 2022, Warner Bros.removed the film from its release schedule, instead opting to promote Lee Cronin’s Evil Dead Rise.

As of now, there have been no new developments regarding The Last Train to New York or any plans for a remake of Train to Busan, leading to speculation that the project has been abandoned. In contrast, plans for a sequel to the 2020 film Peninsula, a follow-up to Train to Busan, appear to be moving forward.

The Case Against an American Remake of Train to Busan

Why Train to Busan Stands Alone

In instances where American cinema has attempted to remake foreign films, very few have managed to capture the essence of the original or surpass it. Given the exceptional quality of Train to Busan, it is evident that an American adaptation would be unnecessary. The film has garnered widespread acclaim and rightfully holds its position as one of the finest horror movies ever produced. Its unique narrative and character development are deeply intertwined with its Korean setting—elements that cannot be authentically replicated elsewhere.

Attempting to create an American version of Train to Busan runs the risk of authenticity, making it seem more like a cash grab rather than an appreciative homage. Hollywood has the potential to explore original stories within the zombie genre, rather than trying to create a diluted version of this cinematic masterpiece.

Sources: EW, Deadline.

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