Actor Choi Min-sik to star in a Luc Besson movie

Korean veteran actor Choi Min-sik (“Oldboy,” “Nameless Gangster”) is to star in the latest project by French filmmaker Luc Besson (“The Lady,” “The Fifth Element”), along with American actors Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman. He left for France to shoot the movie on Nov. 1.

The movie, titled “Lucy,” is about a drug mule (Johansson) who is endowed with superhuman abilities. Choi’s participation in the film was revealed during the French director’s upcoming lineup announcement at the Venice Film Market in August. No details about Choi’s role have been released yet.

Besson reportedly visited Choi in Korea in June to talk about the film.

The upcoming sci-fi movie by Besson is Choi’s first international project, although he reportedly has been receiving offers from overseas producers since the release of Park Chan-wook’s 2003 film “Old Boy,” in which he starred and enjoyed critical success at home and abroad.

“Lucy” is scheduled to be released next year.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)