Cannes, France – Focus Features has acquired the worldwide rights to Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest project Bugonia, a remake of the South Korean sci-fi comedy Save the Green Planet. The film reunites the Greek director with actors Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Currently at the Cannes Film Festival with their Competition entry Kinds of Kindness, the trio is set to work together on Bugonia.
Bugonia will see a U.S. release by Focus Features, with Universal Pictures handling international distribution (excluding South Korea). This marks the second deal for Focus Features during Cannes this week, following the acquisition of Woody Harrelson starrer Last Breath. It’s a significant move for the studio, as Lanthimos’ past acclaimed films such as The Favourite and Poor Things were distributed by Searchlight.
Based on the 2003 South Korean film, Bugonia follows two conspiracy theorists who believe a CEO is an alien intending to destroy Earth. The film will be produced by Element Pictures, Square Peg, Fruit Tree banner, and CJ ENM.
Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski praised Lanthimos’ unique style, expressing excitement for the collaboration on the darkly humorous project. Producers Guiney and Lowe are eager to work with the studio and reunite with the talented cast and crew.
AJongboum Ko, representing CJ ENM, highlighted the collaboration on this English-language adaptation of the South Korean original. Fremantle’s CEO of Global Drama, Christian Vesper, also expressed enthusiasm for joining the project and supporting the production team.
Fremantle, the majority stakeholder in Element Pictures, continues to expand its influence in the industry. As Element Pictures brings multiple films to Cannes this year, including Lanthimos’ Kinds of Kindness, the company’s presence in the festival is significant.
The acquisition of Bugonia by Focus Features adds to the buzz surrounding Lanthimos, Stone, and Plemons as they collaborate on this intriguing project set to captivate audiences worldwide.