Universal Sets Chris MacBride to Pen 'Confession of Murder' Remake

Universal Pictures is developing an English-language adaptation of the 2012 South Korean thriller *Confession of Murder*, tapping screenwriter Chris MacBride to pen the script, Deadline reports.

The studio acquired the feature remake rights and set a producing team that unites Barnstorm and Winged Tiger. Glen Powell and Dan Cohen are producing through Barnstorm, alongside Naomi Funabashi and Rishi Rajani for Winged Tiger.

The original 2012 film, directed by Jung Byung-gil, centers on an intense cat-and-mouse game between a detective and a suspected serial killer. The suspect publishes a bestselling autobiography detailing his crimes after the statute of limitations expires, igniting a public frenzy and a renewed pursuit for justice.

MacBride previously wrote and directed the mystery thriller *Flashback* as well as the found-footage conspiracy thriller *The Conspiracy*. His hiring places a writer experienced in twist-heavy genre storytelling at the center of the project.

For Powell, the adaptation marks another expansion of his producing footprint via Barnstorm. The actor has steadily converted his box office momentum into an active production pipeline across major studios.

## The Cross-Border IP Strategy

Hollywood studios continue to view established East Asian thrillers as fertile ground for domestic remakes. High-concept Korean genre films offer tight, proven narrative engines that major studios can scale for global theatrical audiences, particularly when paired with rising star producers.