'Crazy Rich Asians' director, Netflix to retell Thai cave rescue
Netflix is working on a project on last year's dramatic rescue of 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach who were trapped inside a cave in Tham Luang, Thailand. Filmmaker Jon M. Chu, who directed 2018's hit romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, will reportedly be helming the project, which will be co-produced by SK Global Entertainment. Here are more details.
Chu to co-direct alongside Nattawut "Baz" Poonpiriya
A company set up by the Thailand government to represent the soccer team and coach, 13 Thumluang Co. Ltd., had granted rights to the inspirational story to Netflix and SK Global Entertainment in March. For now, it hasn't been decided whether the project is going to be a film or a miniseries. Chu will be co-directing alongside Nattawut "Baz" Poonpiriya, best known for thriller films.
Chu tweeted about his involvement in the project
Thai cave rescue prove we're stronger together: Chu
"This tragic human drama transformed into a beautiful, inspirational story of human beings saving other human beings." "Not only did this show the best of the human spirit overcoming even the worst of circumstances, it proved that we are stronger when we work together," said Chu, who's excited to be working alongside Poonpiriya as he "understands the nuances and details of the local community."
Several production companies showed interested in Thai cave rescue story
Back in July, several international production companies had expressed an interest in creating films/documentaries about the Thai cave rescue. The same month, Chu had said that he "refuses to let Hollywood white washout the Thai Cave rescue story." He added, "There's a beautiful story about human beings saving other human beings. So anyone thinking about the story, better approach it right and respectfully."
Here's the true story of the Thai cave rescue
On June 23, 2018, news broke out that 12 boys, who were part of a junior football team, and their coach, were trapped inside the flooded caves of Tham Luang near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Thai authorities managed to rescue them only after two weeks.
The other known projects based on the Thai cave rescue
Apart from the Netflix film/miniseries, several other projects based on the Thai cave rescue are currently in the works. Here are some: an Indie film titled The Cave; a film by Universal Pictures, that acquired life rights to the coach and his soccer team, along with Dr. Richard Harris, Dr. Craig Challen; a film produced by Pure Flix; and a documentary by National Geographic.
