In a recent interview withDeadline, director Bong Joon-ho revealed that hisParasiteTV show is still happening, and not only that, but it looks like it could be amazing.Bong is well-known for directing movieslikeSnowpiercerandMickey 17,but his biggest claim to fame would be his 2019 filmParasite.A thriller comedy,the movie follows a South Korean family who infiltrate their way into working for a nearby wealthy family, only to stumble upon dark secrets.Parasitewon the Palme d’Or at that year’s Cannes Film Festival, and also snagged Best Picture at the Oscars.
After the success ofParasitein 2020, it was announced thatHBO was developing aParasiteTV serieswith Adam McKay and Bong attached as executive producers. This announcement came early in the year, a month before the movie won big at the 2020 Oscars. Apparently,Parasitealready had enough hype around it to merit a series.Five years later, very little has been revealed about theParasiteTV series, but a recent interview with Bong has confirmed that the show is still happeningand this is what it will look like.
HBO’s Parasite TV Show Is Not A Remake Or A Direct Sequel (And That’s Great)
When theParasiteTV show was first announced, many assumed that the series would be a sequel to the movie or an expanded remake. Mainly, this idea came from a quote Bong gave in 2020 about how he still had “key ideas"aboutParasitestored in his iPad, and that the show would be like “a six-hour-long film,"(TheWrap.)However,McKay later confirmed that the series would exist in the same world asParasitebut would follow its own original story, (HappySadConfused.)This spinoff format is the best case scenario for theParasiteshow.
As much asParasitewas amazing, a direct sequel may not work as well. For the most part, this is becauseParasitewas made to be a standalone movie. The story of the Parks and the Kims came to a conclusive end. Trying to continue that story would feel ingenious at best and arbitrary at worse. On the other hand,a spinoff allows the showrunners to continue building on the themesParasiteestablished with a new set of characterswho have a different story to tell.
I Was Scared About A Parasite TV Show, But Bong Joon Ho’s Idea Sounds Amazing
When To Expect The Parasite TV Show
Turning a standalone film into a franchise can be a risky task, but based on Bong’s comments, theParasiteTV show seems to have a lot of potential. The ideas Bong has been storing away were originally intended for theParasitemovie, and if their quality is of the same caliber as what premiered in 2019, then the show will be amazing. Furthermore,the concept of a six-hour-long movie sounds incredible coming from Bong, whose movies are heavily detailed and rife with important messages.
The only downfall of theParasiteTV show is that viewers will have to wait a while for it.
The only downfall of theParasiteTV show is that viewers will have to wait a while for it. Although Bong confirmed that it is still happening, he noted that audiences would have to keep waiting, as the writers continued chipping away at it. Based on his comments, it seems like it has been a tough but rewarding creative process. Thus, if audiences are missingParasite,they may want to rewatch the movie rather than wait for the show.
