Universal Studios has signed a director to remake Bong Joon-ho’s 2006 Korean monster film The Host. Commercial film director Fredrik Bond will helm the project, based on a script by Smart People scribe Mark Poirier, and Gore Verbinski will produce. Bond has directed a variety of commercials over the last few years (check them out right now here). Haven’t seen The Host? Check out the trailer below!

The Host follows a dysfunctional family who sets out to bring their little girl back home after a horrifying giant monster that emerges from the Han River to wreak havoc on Seoul. The Host was released on a record number of screens in South Korea and broke box-office records throughout its domestic run. By the end of its run, over 13 million people had bought tickets, making it the highest grossing South Korean film of all time. Joon-Jo talked to Sci-Fi about the idea of an American remake during the film’s original theatrical run. Here is what he said:

“Maybe three or four years down the line, if The Host [remake] comes out, and there’s a cool director who takes it on and makes it a real great film, then I’d be very happy,” Bong told SciFiWire in an interview, through a translator. “On the other hand, if it’s just crap, I think I’d be happy, too, because then people would be like, ‘Oh, yeah, Bong’s original was really good.’ So, for me, it’s a win-win situation. But Universal has a tradition of doing horror and creature films, so I anticipate that they will do a great film.”

If you haven’t yet, check out Fredrik’s commercial work in our Commercial Directors Spotlight.

  • I knew this was coming, but Verbinski needs to direct. Look at what he did for The Ring.
  • Ryan
    I f-ing love the Host.
    Stupid remakes.
  • LMAO!!!! wow, they're like, doing remakes of at least 200 East Asian films every year...

    why don't we just fuckin move HOLLYWOOD to Seoul, south Korea? we might as well fucking re-locate over there.
  • i have mixed feelings. the original was awesome, but being a big fan of monster movies, i saw a few things that could be improved. i doubt hollywood will nail it, so i think its a bad idea, but at the same time, i want more monster movies, and this could be a good opportunity. i will always love the orginal though, especially since no other movie has ever made me want to eat ramens so bad.
  • Nish
    One thing I hate about people commenting on remakes is that they always say that as long as it has a good director/script, it'll be ok. No shit. I haven't noticed it on this thread apart from Yoji's comment, but as Peter Griffin would say - it grinds my gears.

    As for the film, I enjoyed the film and it could work set in America, I guess the story would go along the lines of America dumping biological waste near LA or something and then monster attacks. I mean come on its not hard to work it out that the film could be about the most powerful nation in the world shitting on its own people and not just those around the world. Im talking to you krackajap and Moosemonster.

    However don't think a remake is necessary, the only people who I can think can benefit from a remake are dyslexic people. They should just screen the original then people can go to the cinema enjoying a good monster movie and feel a little cultrued for watching a foreign film.
  • AJ
    oh god, I knew this was going to happen eventually but it still hurts
  • First Oldboy and now This. Oldboy is slightly forgivable but the story seems that it should be set in Korea due to the huge class differences that the film portrays. Also, the American's role in this flick is crucial. Is the remake going to flip it so it's the Koreans?

    Trying not to spoil.
  • Jud
    The Host was pretty rad, but didn't blow me away (not like Oldboy). I'm definitely upset about an Oldboy remake, but this is fine.
  • Pete
    haha. michael rogers, your comment made me laugh.
  • Yeah, I agree, Oldboy was the shit...but, knowing how Hollywood usually likes to fuck up good movies, they will probably do the same with both of these....(sigh)
  • Yeaaa, i'll stick with the original thanks. Maybe i'll give it a rent down the line if they dont screw it up.
  • krackajap
    I'm in love with Bae Du-na. She is by far my favorite Korean actresses.
  • Eric
    I'm so sick of remakes. We're in remake hell right now, why can't they put out more original stuff like There Will Be Blood???
  • The Host is such a great movie. I watched it twice the first time I saw it.
  • Is that possible?

    Did you have it on two TVs?
  • u are correct.
  • agreed. remakes are't necessary in the first place, unless the 1st movie sucks ass.
  • Captain Awesome
    The Host was a much better monster movie than Cloverfield. Not to mention one of the most original creature designs I have seen in a long time. They should remake Cloverfield instead and leave The Host alone.
  • marz
    the host was a good movie and a few asian movies they brought over turned out ok like the ring and the grudge...altho some of the sequals sucked balls...so hopefuly they'l do this one justice.be nice if tippets crew did the creature effects along with ILM but i doubt they'l spend that much money on this.i love a good monster movie..hell im still waiting for a cloverfield 2!
  • If they remake this, I wonder what's going to happen to the commentary about the US.
  • Bigdog
    It could be directed towards the North Koreans or the Terrorists.
  • Marc
    Fuck Hollywood!
  • Dustin M
    What?! I absolutely enjoyed The Host. A very funny movie. The characters were awesome and the plot was just absurd and awesome. Am I the only one that loved The Host?
  • I've never seen The Host, although I've seen that trailer somewhere before. Judging from the trailer, I think Fredrik can at least make something that's as good. And what's with Koreans and tripping over? Is that their epitome of comedy?
  • ABCDOMAL
    What the problem of hollywood with new ideas? Why do you love remake?
  • im so sick of these remakes, especially of great movies like the host and oldboy.

    come up with your own fucked up movies america COME ON
  • Danisgod
    I wouldn't say it was as goo as jaws but a good film. If it going to be in America, then we would just nuke the hell outta where the monster was. or watch the beginning going to be a young couple having sex or some shit and then the monster attacks and kills them. Show title of movie. That's hows it going to start because with American horror films we need nudity to sell a movie. Fucking morons.
  • 4site
    The problem with remaking the Host is that it really wasn't that great of a movie in the first place. There's some cool scenes, but it really isn't what people would have you believe.
  • I remember "The Host" that movie is a classic!! It was funny, but creepy.... Why are they going to remake it for?? They should make a sequel instead!
  • Beast
    Can someone tell me why Bong can't direct this flick? why do they always replace the original director?
  • Guest
    There Will Be Blood was loosely based on Upton Sinclair's 1927 novel Oil!. Not something I would note as epitomizing originality, but I would not at all object seeing some more cinematic approaches of the hitherto untouched 1920s literary canon.
  • I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the original. It felt like it lingered after it should have ended. But for the record they should get Lucas and Rogen involved to balance out Berg and Smith on Oldboy.
  • lancelewis
    freaking LOVED THE HOST. great film.
  • Ultimatefilmfanatic
    I saw the original when it came out in theaters here in the states and it was really really good and like all the other perfect foreign films it shouldn't be touched. I guess I'm one of the last few left who loves the originals especially when they are foreign, it brings a fresh new perspective to film making.
  • Ian W
    Get the Koreans to remake Cloverfield.
  • buzz_clik
    Wow, buggering Korean films is so hot right now.
  • such a great movie!!!!!!!1
    Style your statement and create a musical blog on at www.uploaded.tv with your short portfolio
blog comments powered by Disqus