Thai blockbuster Bad Genius (aka Chalard Game Gong) is going Hollywood.
The English-language remake of the 2017 heist thriller will be produced by Erik Feig’s Picturestart (Hunger Games, Now You See Me) and former Lionsgate co-chairman Patrick Wachsberger’s Picture Perfect Entertainment (Step Up, Mr. and Mrs. Smith).
Eva Anderson, producer of US TV series You’re the Worst, has been tapped to pen the adaptation of the film originally written and directed by Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya, Deadline reported yesterday.
Bad Genius follows a group of entrepreneurial high school seniors that devise an elaborate exam-cheating scheme that eventually rises to international levels. Inspired by a real-life case of students cheating on the SATs, the film also explores class inequality and coming-of-age issues.
When Bad Genius opened on May 3, 2017, it quickly climbed its way to the top of the Thai box office and eventually became the highest-grossing film of the year.
It went on to sweep Thailand’s version of the Oscars; winning a record-breaking 12 Golden Swans, including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.
Esther Yeung, general manager of sales and acquisitions at Edko Films, told Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post back in 2017 that the film was a game-changer for Thai cinema, showing the world that “Thai filmmakers are more creative than we thought and their stories are of universal interest.”
Since Bad Genius, Nattawut gone on to enjoy industry success. At the end of last month, it was announced that he would direct a Netflix original series about last year’s Tham Luang cave rescue saga alongside Crazy Rich Asians director Jon Chu.
‘Bad Genius’ and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ directors to helm Netflix Thai cave rescue series
Nattawut is also one of the owners of The Mutual bar in Bangkok’s Phrom Phong district, which straddle beatniks and bouge while tempering stagecraft and style with an aversion to the shallow.
Feeling’s Mutual at new Bangkok bar by ‘Bad Genius’ director & friends
Well friends, may the exams begin – again. Check out the Thai trailer for Bad Genius here:
