Overview
- The adaptation of Train to Busan remains in limbo, as confirmed by director Timo Tjahjanto.
- Delays in the Hollywood remake are due to circumstances outside the director’s influence.
- Uncertainties around the release of The Last Train to New York arise from creative challenges and the director’s packed schedule.
Recent news from Timo Tjahjanto, the director set to lead the American remake of Train to Busan, raises questions about the future of this much-anticipated film. Fans eager to see a Hollywood reinterpretation of the 2016 Korean zombie classic are left to wonder if the adaptation will ever come to fruition.
Train to Busan Remake Update: Timo Tjahjanto Addresses Stall
I’ve been ready since 2020, but when a film is stalled that’s not up to the director. https://t.co/3WnFdlwTiN — Timo Tjahjanto (@Timobros) March 31, 2025
The original Train to Busan, a groundbreaking film directed by Yeon Sang-ho, debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. It follows a group of passengers on the KTX train from Seoul to Busan as they grapple with a sudden zombie outbreak, leading to an edge-of-your-seat survival tale. The film was not only a commercial triumph, grossing approximately $92.7 million against a modest budget of $8 million, but it also earned critical acclaim for its innovative approach to the zombie genre.
Following the original’s success, plans for a Hollywood remake emerged in 2021, under the title The Last Train to New York. With producer James Wan and Warner Bros. as the distributor, anticipation was high, signaling a release set for April 2023. Unfortunately, the project was removed from the release calendar in 2022, leaving the public in the dark regarding its status.
Despite Tjahjanto’s enthusiasm for the project since 2020, the reality of its stalled progress paints a troubling picture. The delays have stemmed from various challenges, including not just industry shifts but also the director’s commitments to other projects. Tjahjanto is slated to release Nobody 2, featuring Bob Odenkirk, and is also set to direct The Beekeeper 2 starring Jason Statham, indicating a very busy schedule that may further delay the remake.
Currently, the adaptation project appears mired in development challenges, with no official announcements concerning casting or production timelines. Fans are left to ponder if this Hollywood version of Train to Busan will ever emerge or simply become another forgotten attempt to remake a cult classic. Until further developments arise, viewers can catch the original film, which remains available for streaming on Prime Video.
Source: X