Yorgos Lanthimos’ "Bugonia"―the English-language remake of "Save the Green Planet!"―is pulling back the curtain on how the film came together, and the behind-the-scenes story is turning heads.
Originally released in 2003, Jang Joon-hwan’s "Save the Green Planet!" jolted Korean cinema with audacious imagination and an ahead-of-its-time message. In 2025, that cult sensation returns as "Bugonia" under Lanthimos’ eye.
In 2018, CJ ENM zeroed in on the story’s bold, offbeat potential and formally kicked off an English-language remake―launching development on "Bugonia" and charting a new global path for Korea’s film industry.
Hereditary and Midsommar filmmaker Ari Aster, who has cited "Save the Green Planet!" as an influence, joined as a co-producer alongside his producing partner Lars Knudsen.
Aster passed the original to Will Tracy―the writer behind HBO’s "Succession" and "The Menu"―who reimagined it for today and delivered a lean, high-voltage draft in just three weeks. Focus Features boarded the project, and in 2024 Lanthimos signed on to direct, with his frequent collaborator Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons set to star, snapping the final piece of the puzzle into place.
Born from a 2003 Korean cult gem that dreamed of first contact with Andromeda, "Bugonia" has been racking up raves―from its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival to its North American bow at the Telluride Film Festival and its Asian premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival. With a Korea release set for Nov. 5, anticipation is surging.
The film follows two young men convinced Earth is facing an alien invasion. Their target: Michelle, a powerful corporate CEO they believe is an extraterrestrial plotting the planet’s destruction.
CJ ENM spearheaded development―from the English-language screenplay to packaging the director, cast and production partners―and will handle domestic distribution. Following the global breakthrough of "Past Lives," "Bugonia" marks another step in CJ ENM’s push to bring Korean storytelling to audiences worldwide.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)