The Biggest Box Office Season of the Year... Lineup Takes Shape
Highly Anticipated Foreign Films Like "28 Years Later" and "F1 The Movie"
Expectations High for "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint" and "The Devil Has Moved In"
The peak season for theaters throughout the year is summer. The lineup of films set to compete at the box office is beginning to take shape. Highly anticipated Korean films and major Hollywood releases will be hitting theaters sequentially starting at the end of this month.
The film industry sees this as an opportunity to turn around its sluggish atmosphere. This is due to the presence of a wide variety of commercially viable genres. The season will kick off on June 19 with "28 Years Later," directed by Danny Boyle. This film is a sequel to "28 Days Later," which garnered attention for introducing fast-moving zombies for the first time. The story follows a boy who has been living on an island to escape a virus, as he encounters evolved infected individuals on the mainland. The cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O'Connell.
"F1 The Movie," starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, will premiere on June 25. This action film depicts the events that unfold when a racing legend and a rookie form a team. Directed by Joseph Kosinski of "Top Gun: Maverick," the film delivers an immersive experience that makes viewers feel as if they are right in the middle of an actual race. The thrilling car race scenes provide excitement and exhilaration. The production budget is estimated to exceed $200 million (approximately 273.8 billion won).
On July 2, "Jurassic World: Dominion" will be released. As a sequel to "Jurassic World: Dominion," the story follows those who venture to a dangerous island to obtain dinosaur DNA and uncover truths that have been hidden for decades. The film is directed by Gareth Edwards of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," and stars Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali.
Warner Bros.' long-anticipated "Superman" will be released on July 9. Directed by James Gunn, the new head of DC Studios, the film reimagines the world's most famous superhero. Gunn, known for his witty direction and multi-dimensional characters in "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "The Suicide Squad," has garnered high expectations in the film industry. The role of Superman is played by newcomer David Corenswet. The production budget is estimated at $225 million (approximately 308 billion won).
The baton is expected to be passed to Marvel Studios' "Fantastic Four: A New Beginning." The story centers on astronauts who gain unexpected powers and strive to save the world from Galactus, a planet-devouring entity. Directed by Matt Shakman and based on the frequently adapted graphic novel, the film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Joseph Quinn.
Korean films will target theaters starting in mid-July. Leading the charge is this year's most anticipated film, "Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint." This fantasy film tells the story of a protagonist who was the sole reader of a serialized novel and now struggles to survive in a world where the novel's events have become reality. Directed by Kim Byungwoo of "The Terror Live" and based on the webtoon of the same name, the film stars Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Minho, Chae Soobin, Shin Seungho, Nana, and Jisoo. The production budget is estimated at 30 billion won.
"Zombie Daughter," starring Jo Jungseok, Lee Jungeun, and Jo Yeojeong, will premiere at the end of July. The story follows a father's desperate struggle to protect his daughter, who is the only person infected with the zombie virus. Directed by Pil Gamseong of "Hostage," the film incorporates comedic elements. The production budget is reported to exceed 10 billion won.
In early August, "The Devil Has Moved In" will carry on the box office momentum. The film tells the story of a man who monitors a woman who transforms into a devil every dawn, starring Lim Yoona and Ahn Bo-hyun. The film is directed by Lee Sanggeum, whose debut film "Exit" attracted 9,426,051 viewers.
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