Mark Ruffalo Officially Confirms ‘Parasite’ TV Series Rumors

2 minute read

By Riley Jones (@moviemanjones)

A few weeks back, HBO revealed a limited TV series inspired by Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite was in the early stages of development and that Marvel’s Mark Ruffalo was being eyed to play the lead. HBO later denied Ruffalo’s connection to the series, saying it was far too early for that kind of discussion and that any “casting is wildly premature.” 

Although HBO denied the report, during a recent discussion at the Chicago’s Pop Culture Event (C2E2) panel in Chicago, Ruffalo revealed that he and Joon-ho have met and that he “might be playing the father” in the Parasite TV series.

“We’ve met. I love him [Bong Joon-ho], I love that movie. I might be playing the father in Parasite on a television show. I would love to do it. We’re sort of waiting on the script and all that, but yeah, that’s pretty much true and in the works.”

During a discussion with TheWrap back in late January, Bong revealed that he still has plenty of “ideas” he’d like to explore and believes a series give him the perfect opportunity to expand upon the story.

“I had all these key ideas accumulated from when I started writing the script. I just couldn’t include all those ideas in the two-hour running time of the film, so they’re all stored in my iPad and my goal with this limited series is to create a six-hour-long film.”

The Oscar-winning director went on to provide an example of one of the many areas he’d like to explore further.

“For example when the original housekeeper Mun Gwang (Lee Jung Eun) comes back in the late-night, something happened to her face. Even her husband asked about it but she never answered. I know why she had the bruises on her face. I have a story for that and aside from that why does she know the existence of this bunker? What relationship does she have with that architect to know of this bunker? So I have all these hidden stories that I have stored.”

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite made history at the 92nd Academy Awards last month, becoming the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. The black comedy thriller also took home the Oscar for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film.

What are your thoughts on a TV series based on the film? Is Ruffalo is the right choice to play Kim Ki-taek? Let us know in the comments below.

Riley Jones (@moviemanjones)

Contributor

Riley is the Managing Editor of Goliath. When he's not at the movie theatre or binging some new tv series, he likes to spend his time shooting hoops and play MTG. He doesn't like 'Breaking Bad,' loves 'The Simpsons,' hates mayonnaise, and has been repping the Toronto Raptors since '95. Follow him on IG and Twitter @moviemanjones.