Cast Confirmed for Next Project, "Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan"
Gladiatorial Action Set After the Fall of Goguryeo
Aiming for Summer 2027 Release
Director Kim Hanmin, who set new box office records for Korean action period films with "War of the Arrows" and "The Admiral: Roaring Currents," is returning with a new film set in the Goguryeo era. This time, the focus is not on bows or cannons, but on the sword.
On January 15, production company Big Stone Pictures announced that Kim Hanmin's new film, "Sword: The Blade of Godumakhan," has finalized its main cast, including Park Bogum, Joo Won, Jung Jaeyoung, Lee Sunbin, and Kim Hyungseo, and that full-scale production is now underway.
The film is set in 668, immediately after the fall of Goguryeo to the Silla-Tang alliance. It tells the story of a man who loses his memory and becomes a slave, then risks his life in a gladiatorial tournament to obtain a legendary sword.
Park Bogum has been cast as the protagonist, Chilseong. He is a slave gladiator who, after losing his memory, awakens as a hero known as the "Red Wolf." Joo Won takes on the role of Gyepilharryeok, Chilseong's rival-a cold-blooded warrior representing the Turkic people, who heightens the film's tension with his mastery of dual swords and advanced swordsmanship.
The film also features a strong supporting cast of veteran and emerging actors. Jung Jaeyoung plays Heuksugang, the leader of the Goguryeo Restoration Army and Chilseong's mentor, who trains him to become a true warrior. Lee Sunbin appears as Maya, a member of the Restoration Army, while singer and actress Kim Hyungseo (BIBI) plays Injeong, Heuksugang's daughter, adding depth to the narrative.
A highlight of the film is the clash of martial arts from sixteen northern tribes-including Khitan, Mohe, and Turkic peoples-each with their own unique fighting styles, set in a circular arena in the ancient Goguryeo city of Liaodong. From the planning stage, the production team incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Selected for the Korea Creative Content Agency's "K-Content AI Leading Project," the team uses advanced simulation to authentically recreate each tribe's distinct tactics and movements, delivering a level of impact that sets the film apart from conventional period dramas.
Director Kim Hanmin stated, "I intend to capture the weighty energy of a sword cutting through a turbulent era," adding, "Through the dynamic subject of Goguryeo, I aim to present a uniquely Korean action hero story."
The film's main investment and distribution are handled by Redice Entertainment, known for works such as "Solo Leveling," with Solaire Partners joining as a co-investor. The target release date is summer 2027.
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