James Wan is officially returning to the action genre, signing on to direct and produce a new reimagining of the Korean crime thriller The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil for Paramount Pictures.
Wan will lead the project behind the camera while also producing. According to The Hollywood Reporter, original film star Don Lee—also known as Ma Dong-seok—is attached to reprise a starring role in the new version.
The screenplay will be written by Shay Hatten, whose credits include John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Rebel Moon. Hatten’s script is based on an earlier draft by Brian Helgeland. Additional casting details have not yet been announced, and it remains unclear how closely the remake will follow the story of the original film.
Released in 2019, the South Korean thriller follows an unlikely partnership between a gangster and a police officer who reluctantly team up to track down a serial killer. However, their hunt is complicated by the fact that both men have their own enemies—and deep mistrust of each other.
The original film was written and directed by Lee Won-tae and starred Ma Dong-seok alongside Kim Mu-yeol as the detective and Kim Sung-kyu as the elusive murderer.
Upon release, the movie earned widespread praise from critics and audiences alike, currently holding a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Much of that acclaim focused on its tense storytelling and the standout performances from its cast.
For Wan, the project marks his first time back in the director’s chair since 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. While he has remained active as a producer through his company Atomic Monster, the new film signals his return to directing after a three-year hiatus.
