Netflix and Toho are collaborating for the first time on a reboot of the Japanese studio’s legendary 1960 classic, "The Human Vapor", as a live-action series produced by Toho Studios.

The reboot – led by Yeon Sang-ho ("Train to Busan") as executive producer and scriptwriter and Shinzo Katayama ("Gannibal") as director – is set in modern-day Japan and will feature a fresh storyline and cutting-edge visual effects technology, Netflix says. 

The series is co-written by Ryu Yong-jae ("Parasyte: The Grey"). 

Shun Oguri and Yu Aoi ("Hana and Alice") reunite for the first time in 23 years for the remake, produced in association with Wow Point ("Parasyte: The Grey"). 

The original "The Human Vapor", directed by Ishiro Honda ("Godzilla"), made cinema history for its exploration of power structures and societal oppression. 

The project has been in the works since 2018, and included an in-person script writing retreat in Korea. 

“Considering the cultural nuances between Japan and Korea, we thought it would be easier to finetune the details by discussing them face-to-face,” Katayama says. 

In the project announcement this month, Yeon spoke about the challenge posted by Koreans writing a story set in Japan, and the collaboration with Toho to ensure authenticity.

The release date has not been confirmed.