Mike Fleming

EXCLUSIVE: Christopher Columbus will develop to direct a remake of the Korean film Hello Ghost. The project has been set with Next Entertainment World, the Korean distributor and financier. After a young man tries to kill himself, he’s haunted by four ghosts. They won’t stop haunting him until he helps each of them fulfill one wish. Columbus will produce with 1492 partners Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe. Columbus is a fan of Korean cinema and sparked to the film’s English language remake potential of a film that’s a box office hit in Korea. “After watching Hello Ghost I was immediately struck by the film’s ability to mix comedy, drama and complex emotional themes,” Columbus said in a statement. “Its strong universal storyline translates to any culture, and I’m looking forward to bringing a version of this wonderful story to the English-speaking audience.”

Said Kyungik Jang, VP of NEW: “We have gladly accepted his offer knowing that he is the guru of family comedy films, and someone who has a solid fan base throughout all ages.” Columbus was repped by WME and made the deal with Finecut CEO Youngjoo Suh. Columbus last directed Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and 1492′s producing the screen adaptation of the Kathryn Stockett bestseller The Help.