Cinefantastique Online

Variety reports that Korea’s Chungeorahm productions and China’s Stone Man Films will join forces to sequelize THE HOST, Bong-Joon Ho’s excellent 2006 monster movie. The original film, a South Korean production with political undertones, earned over $60-million worldwide and received a limited art house release in the U.S. The new film, whose $12-million budget will be split evenly between the two countries, will be the work of Chinese writer-director Ning Hao. Says reporter Han Sunhee:

New pic will have to tread carefully to avoid criticizing the Chinese government. Story will concern a calamity caused when people ignore a monster due to their desire for money.

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“Chinese film markets are driven by blockbusters with themes of epic drama and martial arts. It’s time to provide more varied types of commercial films,” Choi [Yong-bae, President of Chungeoraham] said. Shooting is expected to start early next year for a release at the end of 2009.