BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker, Park Chan-wook has signed on to co-write and produce the historical drama, War and Revolt, for Netflix, Variety is reporting. The political thriller marks the Korean filmmaker’s first collaboration with the global streaming platform.
Netflix is the streaming market leader in Park’s home country. The streamer has been instrumental in the success of Korean contemporary culture worldwide. After releasing the acclaimed, Palme d’Or-nominated Korean creature feature Okja in 2017, Netflix recently committed to spending a further $2.5 billion on Korean content.
War and Revolt tells the story of two childhood friends who eventually become adversaries. The characters will be portrayed by Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min in the drama, which marks the first time the actors have shared the screen together.
Gang (Jeon Woochi, Secret Reunion, The Priests) will play the movie’s enigmatic protagonist, Cheon-young, a character whose remarkable martial prowess defies his humble origins as a slave. Struggling to break free from the chains of servitude, Cheon-young combines charm and action.
Park Jeong-min (Decision to Leave, Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet) will portray the role of Jong-ryeo, Cheon-young’s former master and scion of the Joseon dynasty’s most influential military family. After passing the military service exam, Jong-ryeo becomes King Seonjo’s personal guard, which leads to a heart-wrenching reunion with his former friend.
The movie’s cast also includes Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rock, Jin Sun-kyu and Jung Sung-ill. Cha will portray King Seonjo, a monarch who abandons his people at the onset of the Japanese invasion, but who seeks to restore his reputation and authority after the war. Kim will play a resolute member of the civilian militia who defies social norms and confronts obstacles.
Jin has been cast the role of a civilian militia leader who’s part of the traditional ruling class, and emerges as an inspiring force amid the chaos of invasion. Jung will portray an intimidating Japanese warlord who recognizes Cheon-young’s extraordinary swordsmanship.
The drama is being directed by Kim Sang-man, who’s best known for his well-received 2010 action thriller, Midnight FM. Park is crafting the script for War and Revolt with Shin Chul.
Park’s acclaimed indie production company, Moho Film, which release his most recent feature, last year’s romantic mystery, Decision to Leave, is collaborating on his upcoming thriller with Semicolon Studio.
The filmmaker’s next project as a helmer will be on the HBO historical black comedy-drama miniseries The Sympathizer. The show will star Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles.