Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP) is gearing up for its first production in Thailand, partnering with GDH on a reimagining of the 2004 romantic comedy 50 First Dates that marks the feature debut of Nicha Yontararak aka Minnie from K-Pop group i-dle.
Yontararak will star opposite Nadech Kugimiya, the lead in supernatural horror Death Whisperer 2, which became the highest-grossing Thai film of all time in 2024 on $24.7m (thb825m).
Mez Tharatorn, whose credits include 2014 romantic comedy I Fine….Thank You…Love You, will direct and produce. He co-wrote the screenplay with Thodsapon Thiptinnakorn of How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies fame and Benjamaporn Srabua, whose credits incude Love Destiny: The Movie.
Sony’s original 50 First Dates starred Adam Sandler as a commitment-phobe who falls for a woman with short-term memory loss played by Drew Barrymore.
Production is expected to commence later this year in time for a 2026 release in Thailand. Sony/SPIP will handle worldwide distribution. Bad Genius producers Jira Maligool and Vanridee Pongsittisak are the producers alongside Tharatorn, with Suwimon Techasupinan serving as co-producer.
Miqi Huang, Sony Entertainment VP, local production, Greater China & Southeast Asia, negotiated the deal for SPIP.
Shebnem Askin, EVP, creative production and head of SPIP, said: “50 First Dates resonated with audiences around the world because of its heart and humour and we’re excited to bring that same creative energy to our first production in Thailand, a country known for its vibrant storytelling culture.”
GDH’s CEO Jina Osothsilp added: “As one of Thailand’s leading film studios, GDH is always looking for bold, creative ways to tell Thai stories that resonate both at home and abroad. Partnering with Sony Pictures International Productions on the Thai version of 50 First Dates is not only an exciting creative challenge — it’s also a milestone in our mission to bring Thai filmmaking to the global stage.”
GDH is the studio behind Bad Genius and the Oscar-shortlisted How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies.
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