Director Park Chan-wook’s New Film “No Other Choice” Set for Late 2025 Release, Boasts Star-Studded Cast
Director Park Chan-wook’s long-anticipated new film, “No Other Choice,” is now in its final stages and is expected to premiere in the latter half of 2025. The film is a remake based on Donald E. Westlake’s novel “The Axe” and its French adaptation by Costa-Gavras, blending Park’s signature psychological insight and social satire into a gripping thriller.
The lead role of Yoo Man-soo, an ordinary salaryman whose life is upturned by sudden dismissal, fighting desperately to secure his family’s future at any cost, is played by acclaimed actor Lee Byung-hun. Lee’s recent works include the film “The Match” and Netflix’s “Squid Game” Season 3, earning him widespread praise and anticipation for his next performance.
Son Ye-jin stars as Mi-ri, Yoo Man-soo’s wife, marking her much-anticipated return to the big screen following her maternity hiatus. She is expected to deliver a nuanced portrayal of a wife navigating complex realities and deep emotional struggles alongside her husband.
The film also features a remarkable lineup of veteran actors including Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yum Hye-ran, Cha Seung-won, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Oh Dal-su. These accomplished performers will bring depth and tension to the narrative, with Park Hee-soon as the head of a paper company, Lee Sung-min as a fellow job seeker, Yum Hye-ran as the job seeker’s wife, Cha Seung-won as another competitor, and Yoo Yeon-seok as Mi-ri’s colleague.
Originally conceived as an English-language Hollywood project, production for “No Other Choice” was later launched in Korea after renewed investment in 2024. After much deliberation, the final title was set following several working titles such as “Neck” and “Axe.”
The film is rumored to be a strong contender for the Venice International Film Festival later this year. Unique direction, social relevance, and stellar performances have cemented “No Other Choice” as one of the most anticipated Korean films of 2025.
Meanwhile, the lead actors continue to enjoy busy careers across film and television: Lee Byung-hun has appeared in “The Match,” “King of Kings,” and “Squid Game” Season 3; Son Ye-jin returns to film with this project; Park Hee-soon is active in the JTBC drama “Pigsty;” Lee Sung-min works on “Ode to My Father 2” and the drama “God’s Marble;” Yum Hye-ran headlines the film “My Name Is;” Cha Seung-won is preparing for “The Sword: Godumakhan’s Sword;” Yoo Yeon-seok was recently seen in the MBC drama “The Call You Just Made;” and Oh Dal-su will appear in “Veteran 2,” “At Four O’Clock,” and more.
With Park Chan-wook at the helm and Korea’s finest actors on board, “No Other Choice” is expected to deliver a bold take on modern society’s harsh survival race and human nature, making it one of the most highly anticipated projects in the Korean film industry.
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