Jason Behr - D-War #5 - Jason Interviews On Korean TV ~ Updated 8/3 - Page 3

**Crystaline** · 10-26-2006, 11:05 AM

That's awesome!

**Crystaline** · 11-05-2006, 10:40 AM

There's a new video up at JBU with footage. Jason is seen a few times.

Variety

Korean pic aims big
'D-War' sets sites on U.S. market
By DARCY PAQUET

SEOUL -- A new kind of animal will be on display at this year's AFM. The $70 million "D-War" is a bit hard to classify -- an English-language monster pic from an unknown Korean director, financed 100% upfront from Korean sources and featuring entirely local CGI work.

Starring Jason Behr and Amanda Brooks, pic will hope to draw viewers with its outlandish special effects, including scenes in which a giant serpent smashes its way through downtown Los Angeles. The 100-minute film features more than an hour of CG footage.

Perhaps most surprising is that this film, based loosely on a Korean folk legend, exists at all. Yet major Korean companies such as Showbox, which unveils "D-War" at a private screening at AFM, are likely to continue surprising observers into the future. Building off a strong domestic market, the Korean majors have set their sights on international viewers, and they increasingly possess the financing, technical infrastructure and manpower to produce giant-sized popcorn fare.

"If this project is a success, it will definitely change people's views of the potential of Korean filmmakers," says Jeong Tae-sung, chief operating officer of Showbox. "I don't think you can find any other example outside of the U.S. where a film of this scale and technical achievement was made by an unknown director."

Reflecting the scale of the work, Showbox will be targeting the world's biggest market first. "Hopefully, we can find a large or midsized U.S. distributor who believes in the project and can give it great marketing, a wide release and a reasonable release date," says Jeong. " 'Passion of the Christ' was turned down by all the U.S. majors, but Newmarket did a great job with it. We're much more concerned about issues like this than we are in accepting the highest offer."

Other markets such as Europe and Asia will be sorted out after a North American distributor is found. "We received numerous presale offers from Japan, Asia and Europe after screening a promo at Cannes this year, but we're confident in this title and we wanted to show the completed film before negotiating."

The $70 million pricetag was picked up entirely by a group of Korean banks and venture capital firms, none of which had ever invested in a film before. "We're the only film company among the investors," notes Jeong, who boarded the project at a late stage after seeing 19 minutes of footage.

Jeong predicts viewers will be surprised at the quality of the CGI work, crafted over a period of five years by effects house Younggu Art, which was founded by "D-War" director Shim Hyung-rae. "If this had been made by a Hollywood studio, it would have cost at least twice as much," Jeong says.

Showbox is looking to other large-scale projects in the future, particularly given the success it has found in the past with effects-heavy works "The Host" (budgeted at $12 million, with a $90 million-plus gross), "Welcome to Dongmakgol" ($8 million budget, $50 million-plus gross) and "Tae Guk Gi" ($13 million budget, $65 million gross).

"We are distributing between 20 and 30 films a year, and among these we are planning for one or two major local projects and one or two international projects each year," says Jeong. "Our international project will be focused either on Asia or on the wider international market, and we are open to shooting films in English or Chinese if that increases our audience."

Thanette · 11-06-2006, 12:50 AM

Hi all
Just reading the latest info. I saw "The Host" at the NY Film Festival in early October. It was pretty good. Interesting monster plus a family oriented story. A well done monster movie. I enjoyed it. Hopefully DWars is as good.

Maybe things are looking up for D-Wars. Hope so.
ciao for now.

**Dreamer 4 Ever** · 11-06-2006, 07:36 AM

Please don't post anywhere without my permission first

Will post info about this when I get to work in 2 hours

Scottie · 11-06-2006, 08:57 AM

Very cool, Jen! I chuckled when I noticed the little pink alien on your table!

Yummy picture of Jason wearing the brown jacket.

VeronicB · 11-06-2006, 09:12 AM

Jen!!!!

those are great!!!

Where did you get them from???? Aren't you at work yet???? I'm so curious to know about all of this!
Jason looks wonderful in that poster/pic!

MyrnaLynne · 11-06-2006, 09:32 AM

Great promo pic of Jason! Exciting that they are making a BIG push to find a US distributor for D-War - Hope they are successful!

**Dreamer 4 Ever** · 11-06-2006, 09:54 AM

Thanks girls! Scottie I realized he was in there after I took the picture

The first night of the BE Blowout with the cast of Veronica Mars and Brendan Fehr was an alien themed one, I also have a bigger size of a green alien too

Okay, so here is the scoop. Both myself and a few friends went to scoop out the screening Saturday night in Santa Monica. We got in with no problem, they scanned our passes and then asked us if we had a business card and of course we didn't. It turns out this screening was to get distribution. No public screening

The supervisor of the event was giving us a hard time and even though we tried to tell them that we could help promote the film, she still wouldn't let us in. But this guy that heard that we were trying to get in went to ask the client if we were allowed to see it and unfortunately we couldn't but it was nice that he tried. So we were asked to leave

But then after we were outside, he came out to us and gave me this huge D-War brochure that they were giving to the buyers so I was blurting with happiness! And he apoligized like crazy that we couldn't stay. He then went back inside and got 2 more for my other 2 friends that were with me

So we waited around until the movie started to see if we could have gotten in, but no such luck. And then we spoke to this guy named James, turned out he worked on the film and we told him how excited we are for this to come out and so is he, since he has been working on it for 5 years. And he was happy we got a little souvenier of it. And we told him how we can help promote the film for them and so he asked us for our contact information so we gave it to him

So hopefully he will keep us posted, he said he will hopefully let us know of any screenings in the future. I think the director was there too, I couldn't remember his name but when we told him that the building that the dragon is surrounding is where I work they were laughing like crazy. All in all even though we couldn't see the movie, it was a fun night. So that is the story on how I got this wonderful rare piece of D-War merchandise

FearlessLeader · 11-06-2006, 10:52 AM

Oh, cool goodies!! Lucky you, D4E. Our very own spy

Good for you that you tried to get in. We'd expect nothing less

Boooh on them that they didn't let you in

But yay for the goodies!! Any chance you might agree to sell it for a lot of money?

You know I had to ask

Oh, and alien AND Tabasco on your table. I'm liking your place more and more

FL

VeronicB · 11-06-2006, 12:25 PM

That is so cool how you got it!

That guy was just so sweet to bring you the bruchers and all. It's sucks you couldn't see the movie but at least you got some nice compensation award.

**Crystaline** · 11-06-2006, 01:22 PM

Ooh, how cool! Thanks for the photos! I love that they mentioned Roswell in Jason's promo pic.

**Roswell 10/2/00** · 11-06-2006, 04:35 PM

OMG Jen are you trying to give me a heart attack those photos are gorgeous!!!! Damn he looks SO GOOD!!!!

I love the recaps they did for him about time they have a good bio of his past work. Including the Shipping News,PLeasentville, The Grudge, and last but not least Roswell! I was all gitty they mentioned Roswell and how he played "Max Evans" Oh be still my heart!

OMG you really hit the jack pot with those goodies! I love the one of your building with the Dragon I am sure you got a good laugh out of that one!

Wow Good work on getting the scoop and exchanging info and all. You go girl! When it comes to Jason nothing will hold you back!

I really hope it gets picked up I am DYING to see this movie!!! I have been DYING to see this movie since 2004!!!

Hope all is well! Great news and great finds!!!

Hope all is well obessies!

Love,
Erin

**Crystaline** · 11-06-2006, 07:28 PM

The poster looks pretty cool with the dragon.

Thanette · 11-06-2006, 10:58 PM

Hi all
Jen - Way to go!! So glad you got such great promo material for this movie and thanks for sharing. I am hoping it will get some kind of theatrical release. The posters look great. I too am happy they mention Roswell in JB's bio.

Loretta

Thanette · 11-06-2006, 11:00 PM

double post, sorry