As global buyers hustle at the Cannes Film Festival to acquire movies and agents move star-studded international packages, Amazon MGM’s Orion Pictures Label caught a big fish in “The Hole.”
Orion has landed worldwide distribution rights to the feature starring Theo James, “Squid Game” breakout Hoyeon, Yeom Hye-ran and Golden Globe winner Christian Slater. The studio has committed to a significant domestic theatrical release, with international rollout plans still coming together. The deal approached $20 million, sources said, and production recently wrapped on the thriller in Korea.
Kim Jee-Woon (“I Saw the Devil,” “Cobweb”) is directing the film, based on the Korean bestseller of the same name by Hye-Young Pyun. Christopher Chen (“The Accidental Getaway Driver”) adapted the script.
“The Hole” follows a successful American professor and writer (James) living abroad in South Korea. Bedridden after a devastating car accident that killed his wife, he is left under the care of his Korean mother-in-law, who starts to unravel the truth behind their marriage.
Producers include Anthology Studios, K. Period Media and Esmail Corp. Department M and Medan financed and serve as executive producers. CAA Media Finance, UTA Independent Film Group and The Veterans brokered the deal. CAA Media Finance and UTA co-rep U.S. rights, with The Veterans handing international.
James has had quite a run since checking in for the second installment of HBO’s “The White Lotus.” His successful Guy Ritchie-Netflix crime series “The Gentleman” was also renewed for a second season. The actor is repped by UTA.
Hoyeon, Kim and Esmail Corp. are all represented by CAA.
