South Korean cinema continues to inspire Hollywood adaptations, with James Wan set to direct and produce a remake of the acclaimed 2019 action crime thriller The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil. The project, announced by Paramount, will bring the intense narrative to an English-speaking audience while retaining much of the original’s gritty tone and complex character dynamics.
Original Star Don Lee Returns for the Remake
Don Lee, known internationally as Ma Dong-seok, will reprise his role from the original film, though additional casting has not been revealed. Wan, famed for his work on The Conjuring series, is producing the film through his Blumhouse-Atomic Monster label. The production team also includes Michael Clear, Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions, D. Matt Geller, and Lee himself. The involvement of these prominent names hints at a strong creative backing for the adaptation.
Screenplay Development and Executive Production Team
Shay Hayden, who has contributed to projects such as John Wick and Rebel Moon, is responsible for writing the screenplay. His script builds on an initial draft by Brian Helgeland, known for his work on L.A. Confidential, who will serve as an executive producer. This collaboration aims to maintain the suspenseful and dynamic elements that made the original a standout thriller.
Plot Overview and Wan’s Return to Directing
The original film, directed by Lee Won-tae, follows the story of a gangster who allies with a cop to hunt a serial killer, navigating threats from both their criminal and law enforcement adversaries. This remake will mark James Wan’s first directing role since his 2023 film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, though no release date has been announced. The story’s blend of crime and thriller elements fits well with Wan’s known expertise in creating tense, atmospheric narratives.
James Wan’s Current and Upcoming Projects
In addition to this remake, James Wan has been engaged with several other film ventures, including a new installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise, an adaptation of the video game Dead by Daylight, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, a Backrooms film, and Mortal Kombat II. Don Lee, meanwhile, had been slated to star as Shin-Ji-seong in Nagoshi Studio’s upcoming game Gang of Dragon, although the project faces uncertainty after NetEase cut funding starting in May.
