Last Train To New York: Indefinite Delay for Train To Busan Remake

The anticipated American adaptation, Last Train to New York, which was intended to reinterpret the acclaimed Korean horror film Train to Busan, now faces uncertainty regarding its production timeline. Premiering in 2016, Train to Busan quickly garnered acclaim as a standout title in the modern zombie genre. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the film follows Seok-woo, played by Gong Yoo, a driven, divorced father escorting his daughter Su-an (portrayed by Kim Su-an) to Busan to celebrate her mother’s birthday.

Unbeknownst to its passengers, a deadly zombie virus is rapidly spreading across Korea, and the train destined for Busan becomes a hotspot for the impending outbreak. Bursting with action and tension, Train to Busan exemplifies the potential of the zombie genre, leading to both an animated prequel, Seoul Station, and a sequel titled Peninsula. The film’s success prompted American studios to pursue a domestic remake, ultimately resulting in the announcement of Last Train to New York. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over the project’s viability.

The Removal of Last Train to New York from Warner Bros.’ Schedule in 2022

Evil Dead Rise Takes the Spot

Last Train to New York was initially unveiled in 2016, coinciding with Train to Busan‘s release (as reported by Variety). Following its debut, Gaumont secured the rights for the English-language adaptation. By 2018, New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster, and Coin Operated had joined forces with Warner Bros. and Gaumont for the project, while Timo Tjahjanto was in talks to direct (according to Deadline). An official release date was set for April 21, 2023, under Tjahjanto’s direction and production by James Wan (reported via Deadline).

However, in mid-2022, Warner Bros. discreetly pulled Last Train to New York from its release calendar, subsequently replacing it with Evil Dead Rise (noted by Collider). Since this change, little information has surfaced about the film’s cast, story, or production status, leading to speculation about diminishing interest in the project. Additionally, the lukewarm reception of the sequel, Peninsula, may have dampened enthusiasm further.

The Case Against Last Train to New York

A New York Subway Zombie Film: Potential Unexplored

Director Timo Tjahjanto is known for his work on segments of the horror anthologies V/H/S/2 and V/H/S/94.

Critics argue that Last Train to New York appears to be an unnecessary cash grab, especially given the widespread accessibility of foreign films with subtitles in today’s digital landscape. Nevertheless, the concept of a zombie movie set deep within the New York City subway system holds significant promise and deserves exploration. The reasoning behind linking it to the Train to Busan franchise remains unclear, particularly as Last Train to New York lacks equivalent thematic depth. With a surplus of opportunities for original zombie narratives, it may be best to allow Train to Busan to stand alone.

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