Film ‘Gunche’ global poster.
The film ‘Gunche’ (directed by Yeon Sang-ho) was pre-sold to 124 countries worldwide ahead of its release.
Distributor Showbox said on the 6th, "‘Gunche’ recorded pre-sales to 124 countries ahead of its world premiere screening at the 79th Cannes Film Festival."
‘Gunche’ is set inside a building sealed off by a mysterious outbreak, where isolated survivors face infected people that evolve in unpredictable forms. It is the latest work by director Yeon Sang-ho, an icon of genre cinema known for titles such as ‘Busanhaeng’, ‘Bando’, ‘Eolgul’, and ‘Gyesirok’. Its star-studded cast, including Jeon Ji-hyun returning to the big screen after 11 years, as well as Gu Gyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-bin, Kim Shin-rok, and Go Soo, drew major attention from overseas distributors.
Doris Pfardrescher, CEO of Well Go, the North American distributor of ‘Gunche’ that also handled ‘Busanhaeng’ and ‘Bando’, said, "We chose ‘Gunche’ because director Yeon Sang-ho has proven, through his previous works including ‘Busanhaeng’, a highly accomplished capability in directing mainstream films." Taiwan distributor Movie Cloud said, "It was clear that ‘Gunche’ takes a new approach that the existing zombie genre had not attempted. We found it very intriguing that the infected are depicted not as a mere chaotic horde of zombies, but as a ‘collective’ with evolving intelligence." German distributor Plaion Pictures explained, "With his own original and radical zombie trilogy, director Yeon Sang-ho reinvented a subgenre of cinema. And with this work, he reaches its peak, completing another masterpiece that will set a new standard for years to come. ‘Gunche’ is by far the most enjoyable experience among his works, and it is pure enjoyment from the start to its spectacular ending."
‘Gunche’ will open domestically on the 21st, kicking off a staggered global rollout. Taiwan and Malaysia follow on the 22nd; France, Singapore, and the Philippines on the 27th; Australia and New Zealand on June 11; and North America on August 28. A Japan release is also planned for 2027.
