Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” Starring Emma Stone Set for November 2025 Release

The Hollywood remake of the Korean sci-fi classic “Save the Green Planet,” titled “Bugonia,” is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 7, 2025. The film stars Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons and is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

The project is a collaboration between CJ Entertainment, Ari Aster’s Square Peg banner, and Focus Features. The film aims to capture the original’s imaginative spirit and expand its reach to a global audience.

“Save the Green Planet!” was initially released in South Korea in 2003 and has gained a cult following over the years. The film follows an immature man who believes that a pharmaceutical executive is an alien and decides to kidnap him to stop an invasion. In “Bugonia,” Emma Stone will play the lead role, previously played by a male character in the original film.

“We started the project to revive director Jang’s sense of imagination, which was ahead of its time and was not fully appreciated 20 years ago,” said Jerry Ko, head of CJ ENM’s film division. “The film developed into a bigger movie than we initially thought. By getting people on our side who understood the film’s potential, we were able to create buzz.”

CJ ENM executive Jerry Ko believes Korean storytelling is gaining popularity worldwide due to its unique blend of genres and fresh perspectives. “Korean creators are good at handling hybrid genres, creating fresh and flavorful stories and visuals,” Ko said.

“Bugonia” is just one of several exciting projects in CJ ENM’s pipeline. Other upcoming films include director Park Chan-wook’s new film “No Other Choice” (working title), a series adaptation of the South Korean action crime film “Fabricated City,” and “Way Back Love,” scheduled to launch on Korean streamer Tving in the first half of next year.

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