Ma Dong-seok to make Hollywood debut as producer

The poster for Actor Ma Dong-seok's new movie “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil.” Courtesy of Ace Maker Movie Works

By Lee Gyu-lee

In yet another pre-release achievement for a Korean movie, “The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” starring Ma Dong-seok will be remade in the United States.

Kiwi Media Group, the crime-action movie's domestic distributor, said Monday it had signed a contract with Hollywood-based Balboa Productions, founded by actor Sylvester Stallone, for the remake.

“The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” is due for domestic release on May 15.

Distribution rights for the movie, directed by Lee Won-tae, have been sold to 104 countries including France, Canada, Germany and China. The movie has also been offered a screening at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

The movie is about a gang boss collaborating with a police officer to catch a serial killer trying to kill him. Ma plays the boss.

Ma will also play the leading role in the remake, according to Kiwi. He will also be co-producer of the remake with two counterparts from Balboa ― Sylvester Stallone and Braden Aftergood.

“The concept of a gangster-cop duo teaming up to catch a killer is fascinating enough to attract global audiences,” Aftergood said in a statement.

Ma starred in the award-winning zombie apocalypse movie “Train to Busan” (2016).