Following Parasite’s Best Picture win at the 2020 Oscars, HBO is reportedly eyeing Mark Ruffalo to star in the network’s upcoming series based on the movie. Bong Joon Ho’s critically acclaimed film made Oscar history last night, becoming the first non-english feature to ever be crowned Best Picture at the annual Academy Awards ceremony. The genre-blending title took home additional wins for Bong’s direction and original screenplay (which he co-wrote with Jin Won Han), on top of snagging the prize for Best International Feature Film.
Prior to Parasite’s Oscar wins, it was reported Bong and Adam McKay were developing an english-language limited series for HBO based on the film. Details beyond that are difficult to come by for the time being, though Bong has indicated the show would expand the movie’s universe and build upon its themes about capitalism and economic inequality, as opposed to merely remaking it. Similarly, it’s not clear yet if the Parasite series would take place in South Korea, like the movie, or move the setting over to the U.S. However, a new casting rumor may shed some light on that matter.
Collider is reporting Ruffalo is currently being considered to star in HBO’s Parasite series and has already been contacted by Bong directly. There’s said to be interest on both sides, though actual negotiations have yet to get underway. HBO has already issued a statement to Collider about their report, saying “to speculate on any characters or casting is wildly premature” at this point in the show’s development.
Ruffalo, of course, is best known these days for playing Bruce Banner and the Hulk in the MCU, though his resume in the world of independent cinema runs much deeper (with no less than three Oscar-nominated movie performances under his belt). He’s also known for his social and political activism both off and on-screen when it comes to his film choices (see Dark Waters for a recent example), making him a good match for something like Parasite. His potential casting further suggests the limited series may extend its gaze beyond South Korea to America and the role it plays in the larger global economy. In addition, this would be the second time an MCU Avengers actor collaborated with Bong on a project, after Chris Evans starred in his dystopian sci-fi comic book movie Snowpiercer.
For now, Ruffalo’s casting and everything else about the HBO Parasite series are up in the air, pending Bong getting back to work after taking a much-deserved post-awards season break for the remainder of this month. Fans of the original movie are understandably wary of the show, especially since there are so many people who have yet to actually see Bong’s film (something that will definitely change thanks to its Best Picture victory). Still, with Bong playing an active role in its creative development, there’s reason to be hopeful the Parasite series will prove to be a worthwhile expansion of the movie and not a misbegotten attempt to cash-in on its goodwill.
More on the Parasite series as it develops.
Source: Collider
