Movie 'Crime City 4' Production Report
Successful Franchise Commercial Film
Total 30.25 Million Viewers, 292.3 Billion KRW Revenue
Villain Kim Mu-yeol Joins, Jang Yi-soo and Park Ji-hwan Return
"Strong and Amazing Action Will Come" Confidence
"One Punch, One Kill!" Actor Ma Dong-seok (53) is back with his powerful fist. The popular film series "The Outlaws," which has earned a total of 292.3 billion KRW at the box office, is being produced as the fourth installment and will be released on the 24th of next month. Riding the wave of content that excites dopamine (a neurotransmitter that transmits excitement in brain nerve cells), attention is focused on whether this installment will also reach the milestone of 10 million viewers.
Ma Dong-seok, the producer and actor playing Detective Ma Seok-do, said at the production briefing for "The Outlaws 4" held on the morning of the 11th at Megabox Seongsu in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, "The 'The Outlaws' series, which was planned in a small room 10 years ago, has now reached its fourth installment," adding, "I wanted to create a franchise series." He expressed confidence, saying, "The tone of the fourth film is different from the first three. There will be strong and intense action."
The Return of the 'Unrivaled' Detective Ma Seok-do
"The Outlaws" is considered one of the most successful franchise commercial films. "The Outlaws 1" (2017) attracted 6.88 million viewers (56.32215 billion KRW), "The Outlaws 2" (2022) drew 12.69 million viewers (131.29879 billion KRW), and "The Outlaws 3" (2023) gathered 10.68 million viewers (104.68773 billion KRW), surpassing a total of 30.25 million viewers across the series. The success of the series is attributed to Ma Dong-seok's refreshing action and the captivating villains. Ma Dong-seok delivers catharsis through punch action based on boxing. Audiences find it thrilling when the heinous villains committing illegal acts are knocked down by Detective Ma Seok-do's single punch.
Ma Dong-seok said, "Detective Ma Seok-do becomes more experienced as the series progresses. In the fourth film, we focused on heavy and strong action. The boxing techniques were also designed in a different style." He explained, "The character (Ma Seok-do) is naturally integrated into the screenplay and drama. Although many people know the character, we tried to give it a transformation." He also pointed out a distinguishing feature, saying, "In the latter part, we shared the emotions of the victims of the incident. It has a deep flavor."
Heo Myeong-haeng, who participated as the martial arts director in the first three films, took the director's seat for this installment. Director Heo said, "There was pressure because the previous films were hits," but added, "I thought about what the audience would want to see while maintaining the tone of the series." He continued, "We focused on upgrading the comedy and action. Ma Dong-seok led well." The director designed the action scenes himself through meetings with the actors. He revealed, "In scenes where the villain appears, I wanted to evoke a noir feeling, and when Ma Seok-do appears, I wanted to give a cheerful vibe. We combined the two genres by differentiating the tone through mise-en-sc?ne and music."
Max-Level Villain Kim Mu-yeol: "Not a 4th Generation Villain but Baek Chang-gi"
"The Outlaws 4" follows a drug sales case using a delivery app. In the process, the true identity of the villain Baek Chang-gi (Kim Mu-yeol), who has established a foothold in the Philippines and dominates the domestic online illegal gambling market through kidnapping, confinement, assault, and murder, is revealed. He is a former special forces mercenary who commits evil acts without batting an eye.
Ma Dong-seok said, "In the third film, there was a strong and fierce villain, but the tone of the movie was light. The action was fast and lively, but in the fourth film, the villain (Kim Mu-yeol) performed high-level action."
Following Yoon Kye-sang in the first film, Son Seok-gu in the second, and Lee Joon-hyuk in the third, Kim Mu-yeol appears as the villain in the fourth. Ma Dong-seok, who is both the lead actor and producer, sent a love call to Kim Mu-yeol, with whom he worked in the film "The Villainess" (2019). Ma Dong-seok said, "We needed someone like a killing machine, sharp as a knife. To have that feeling, you have to have exercised since you were young, and Kim Mu-yeol was suitable."
Regarding the villain Baek Chang-gi, Kim Mu-yeol explained, "He is a character who acts before speaking and whose hands are faster than his mouth." He added, "He reacts quickly and turns situations to his advantage moment by moment to overcome crises. He doesn't talk much. I thought about how to portray his gaze, actions, atmosphere, and posture." He showed confidence, saying, "You can expect his combat skills."
Kim Mu-yeol gained 10 kg to portray the villain role that delivers heavy blows to enemies. He said, "I built a body suitable for a character who uses a dagger and subdues with technique."
Jang Yi-soo, who was responsible for the humor in "The Outlaws" 1 and 2, also returns. He appeared as the leader of the Lee Soo faction in the first film and as the head of the Korean Dream international marriage market in the second, delivering impressive performances. In the fourth film, he appears as an arcade chairman. Park Ji-hwan explained, "Detective Ma Seok-do investigates online illegal gambling and finds me. I get dragged into a cooperation that is not really cooperation." He added, "He trusts what shouldn't be trusted and takes another chance in life, only to realize at the end that it was still not right. It will be the most entertaining element." Ma Dong-seok then expressed anticipation for the next series, saying, "I hope Jang Yi-soo and Chorong (a popular character from the third film, played by Go Gyu-pil) will meet someday."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
