Keanu Reeves in Talks to Star in James Wan’s ‘The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil’ Remake

Keanu Reeves could be heading into a deadly game of cat and mouse in The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil. Director James Wan is developing an English-language remake of the 2019 South Korean crime thriller, and Reeves is reportedly in talks to join the project alongside original star Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee.

The original film, directed by Lee Won-tae, brought together a police officer and a crime boss in an unlikely partnership to track down a serial killer. The remake will revisit that premise for English-speaking audiences, although details about Reeves’ potential role have not yet been announced.

Keanu Reeves Could Join Don Lee in The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil

If the deal moves forward, Reeves would star alongside Don Lee, who is set to reprise his role from the original film. Lee played the gangster at the center of the story, whose interests become intertwined with those of a police officer pursuing a brutal killer.

The original thriller built its story around an uneasy alliance between law enforcement and organized crime. With both sides pursuing their own objectives, the investigation becomes a dangerous contest filled with shifting loyalties, double-crosses, and violent confrontations.

Reeves’ character in the remake remains unknown, leaving open the question of where the actor will fit into the story’s clash between criminals and police.

What Is The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil About?

Released in 2019, the original The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil follows a police officer and a crime boss who reluctantly join forces to identify and capture a serial killer.

Their partnership is far from straightforward. The officer wants to bring the killer to justice, while the gangster has his own reasons for pursuing the same target. As their investigation progresses, both men must navigate a volatile situation in which neither can fully trust the other.

The South Korean thriller drew loose inspiration from real-life serial killer cases in the country during the mid-2000s. It premiered in the Midnight Screenings section of the 2019 Cannes Film Festival before screening at the Fantasia International Film Festival that same year.

The film’s combination of crime thriller tension, serial killer suspense, and action helped establish it as a notable entry in South Korean genre cinema.

James Wan to Direct the English-Language Remake

Wan, known for directing horror hits such as The Conjuring and Insidious, is attached to direct the remake. The project will mark his first feature directing effort since Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which was released in 2023.

Eric Pearson, whose credits include Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, wrote the latest screenplay. The script is based on earlier drafts by Shay Hatten, known for John Wick: Chapter 4 and Army of the Dead, and Brian Helgeland, the screenwriter behind L.A. Confidential and A Knight’s Tale.

Wan will also produce through Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, alongside Michael Clear and Jason Blum. Additional producers include Don Lee, Sylvester Stallone, D. Matt Geller, Chris S. Lee, Jang Won-seok, and Lorenzo di Bonaventura.

When Will The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil Remake Be Released?

The remake does not yet have a confirmed release date, and Reeves’ involvement remains in the negotiation stage. Further casting announcements and production details have yet to be revealed.

With Wan directing and Don Lee returning to the story, the English-language remake will bring together filmmakers with experience in action, crime, and genre filmmaking. If Reeves officially joins the cast, the project could add another high-profile name to this reimagining of the South Korean thriller.