Warner Bros Deal With K-Drama Giant CJ ENM To Create English-Language Remakes Sparks Heated Reactions

Fans aren’t thrilled.

An unexpected partnership was recently born in the entertainment industry. Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group has teamed up with CJ ENM, the Korean entertainment powerhouse behind hits like Parasite and Past Lives.

parasite
Capture from “Parasite.” | CJ ENM

The collaboration will see both companies developing remakes of each other’s films, with Warner Bros. focusing on English-language versions of CJ ENM’s acclaimed library and CJ ENM reimagining Warner Bros. movies in Korean.

According to a Variety report, Warner Bros. will produce and distribute English-language adaptations globally, while CJ ENM will oversee Korean-language remakes in select territories, including South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Turkey. Although the two companies will lead their respective projects, they will consult with one another on creative elements, including decisions about directors, writers, producers, and casting.

CJ ENM, often referred to as Korea’s largest entertainment conglomerate, boasts an impressive catalog of films like The Handmaiden, Parasite, and Past Lives. Warner Bros., meanwhile, brings decades of Hollywood classics to the table. However, despite the scale of the partnership, the announcement has not been universally welcomed.

the handmaiden
| CJ ENM

Many viewers have expressed dissatisfaction, citing concerns about the originality of remakes. Critics argue that instead of revisiting old material, both studios should prioritize creating fresh, original stories.

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| X (formerly known as Twitter)

Additionally, some believe such projects could discourage audiences from exploring international films in their native language, which would hinder cultural appreciation and diversity.

While the deal promises to expand the reach of Korean cinema and Hollywood films to wider audiences, it has undeniably stirred mixed reactions online, with netizens debating its potential impact.

Source: Variety
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