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Netflix backs South Korean monster movie starring Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal

Netflix backs South Korean monster movie starring Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal

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Okja is the next project from Snowpiercer director Bong Joon-ho

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Netflix and Brad Pitt's Plan B production company have signed on to Okja, a monster movie from Snowpiercer director Bong Joon-ho. As Variety reports, Netflix is investing in the film, and Plan B is co-producing it. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports that Netflix is investing $50 million in the project.

Okja's cast includes Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Bill Nighy, and Kelly MacDonald. According to The Wrap, the film's narrative centers around a young Korean girl's friendship with a monster named Okja, who is apparently not that scary.

"A country girl and a brute with stories."

"It is a bulky animal, but with a mild and kind spirit," Bong said in a statement Monday. "The film is about a warm friendship between a country girl and a brute with stories."

The Asian market has been a point of focus for Netflix, which is also financing the sequel to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. In September, the company announced plans to launch in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan by early 2016, as part of its ongoing push to be in 200 countries by the end of next year.

Okja is currently in pre-production, and is expected to be released in theaters during the first half of 2017.