Virtually every potential storyline on the planet is up for grabs. There is almost nothing happening that can't be turned into a movie or tv production. And the rescue of 12 boys and their football coach from a cave in northern Thailand last year is one of them.
Trapped in a flooded cave for more than two weeks in June 2018, the Wild Boars soccer team made headlines around the world. 90 diving experts undertook one of the greatest rescues of all time and managed to free all of them. Now that epic tale is set to be turned into a Netflix mini-series.
Erika North, Netflix's director of international originals, said the story “combines so many unique local and universal themes which connected people from all walks of life, from all around the world.”
The mini-series looks like it will be directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and Thai director Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya. The Netflix deal itself is worth a reported $94K to each boy on the team. Plus, 13 Thumluang company, set up by Thailand's government to guard the interests of the boys and their coach, has also that it will be donating 15% of the project’s revenues to charity organisations that focus on disaster relief.
In a press release, Ekapol Chanthawong, the boy's coach said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to thank the people and organisations from Thailand and around the world who came together to perform a true miracle, by retelling our story.
“We look forward to working with all involved parties to ensure our story is told accurately, so that the world can recognise, once again, the heroes that made the rescue operation a success,” he added.
With the deal just announced, production has not yet started. But given the interest in the story, Netflix will definitely want it air as soon as possible!