Rob Cohen to Direct Korean War Film '1950'

7:39 PM PDT 7/28/2011 by Borys Kit

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Producers CJ E&M and Grapevine Entertainment eye $100 mil budget for story of war correspondent Marguerite Higgins.

Rob Cohen is attached to direct 1950, a Korean War epic adventure being made by CJ E&M Pictures and Grapevine Entertainment.

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CJ E&M was previously known as CJ Entertainment and one of the leading production and distributors in Asia. 1950 is being touted as the biggest-budgeted film project to hit the Korean film industry with the producers penciling in $100 million for the production.

Described by the producers as "an untold story of courage and endurance during the Korean War, 1950 is an epic adventure, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning dispatches from the front line by legendary New York Herald Tribune correspondent Marguerite Higgins."

The story centers on Hiigins, who had to overcome sexism and bias in order to be able to cover the war, and her journey with an American platoon across the peninsula climaxing with mass evacuation of hundreds of thousands of South Koreans in the face of advancing Chinese and North Korean armies.

CJ E&M plans on casting the film with Hollywood A-listers and Asian stars and aim to begin in May 2012 with a planned release date of spring 2013.

Rachel Long and Brian Pittman are penning the screenplay. Brett Donowho is also producing while Paul Hudson is exec producing.

"While 1950 is based on a very special event in Korean history, we are confident that CJ and GV can elevate this tale into a film that will resonate with the audience worldwide," said Sean Lee, CJ head of international financing and production, in a statement.

Stated Cohen: "The Korean War has often been referred to as 'the forgotten war' and I think it's time it was remembered. Telling the story of this harrowing conflict through the eyes of pioneering journalist Marguerite Higgins makes it a very different war film on every level.

Cohen, repped by WME, last directed The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and is gearing up to direct I, Alex Cross, with Tyler Perry and Matthew Fox attached to star.