Snowpiercer Pulls into TV Land
Around these parts we’re huge fans of the 2013 Korean feature film Snowpiercer, and word has come via THR that it is being adapted as a TV series with Josh Friedman (“Sarah Connor Chronicles,” War of the Worlds) attached to pen the script for Tomorrow Studios, which has optioned the rights to the film.
The potential series will be based on the 2013 film that was written and directed by Bong Joon-ho in his first English-language production. The movie, which starred Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, is set in a post-apocalyptic Ice Age where the only remaining life on the planet survives aboard a train that travels around the globe. Bong and feature co-producer Dooho Choi are attached to executive produce alongside Tomorrow’s Marty Adelstein and producing partner Becky Clements. Park Chan-wook, who produced the feature, is also attached as an EP.
The drama hails from Korea’s largest movie studio, CJ Entertainment & Media, which produced the feature. The sci-fil film is based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige.
The feature was released in June 2014 and grossed $4.5 million domestically en route to a $86.8 million worldwide cume after being released on video on demand after only two weeks in release. The film was also was an awards season favorite, picking up nominations from various festivals as well as the Broadcast Film Critics Assn. before landing on multiple Top 10 films of the year lists across the country.
“We are very excited to be working with Josh on this incredible story,” Adelstein said. “As such a prolific and innovative writer, he is the ideal person to create a massive new world in this adaptation. This is an expansive, high-concept project; and we are thrilled to be a part of reimagining it for television.”
For Friedman, “Snowpiercer” marks his latest TV gig. His credits include NBC’s pirate drama “Crossbones,” comic book adaptation “Locke & Key” (which did not move beyond the pilot at Fox), and the upcoming Wizard of Oz-themed mini “Emerald City.” He’s repped by UTA and attorney Karl Austen.
“I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity,” Friedman said. “Marty and Becky are the perfect partners to help me bring this world to TV. I’m a huge fan of director Bong’s films, especially Snowpiercer. It’s great the way the best sci-fi is great — thoughtful, political, funny, scary, and sly. And it’s on a train. A big f—ing train. What more could you want?”
Tomorrow Studios is a partnership between Adelstein and ITV Studios.
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