Park’s ‘Stoker’ likely headed to Sundance before March 1 opening

The winter isn’t necessarily known for new works from acclaimed Asian auteurs. But Fox Searchlight and Park Chan-wook will seek to change that when they bring out “Stoker” just about eight weeks into the new year.

The studio said Tuesday it had dated Park’s much-anticipated film for March 1, seeking to capitalize on the season’s overlapping audience for both genre movies and longer-running prestige movies.

“Stoker,” a coming-of-age tale from a man who counts “Oldboy” and “Thirst” among his previous works, is believed to be a hybrid of sorts, combining genre and art-house elements.

The movie also looks likely to premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. A person who was familiar with the festival’s plans but not authorized to speak about them publicly said organizers had seen the movie and were embracing it. A festival premiere would also of course set the stage for a commercial release six weeks later. A Sundance Institute spokeswoman declined to comment.

There had previously been speculation that “Stoker” would come out during the 2012 award season and premiere at one of the fall festivals.

The English-language debut of the noted South Korean helmer, “Stoker” stars Mia Wasikowska as India, a girl whose life changes when her mysterious uncle (Matthew Goode) turns up after India’s father dies. Nicole Kidman costars as India’s mother. The film is based on a Black List script by the actor-writer Wentworth Miller.

Park is one of the more decorated international filmmakers around. He’s won multiple prizes at Cannes and has also generated a large genre fan base, particularly with his so-called “vengeance trilogy” -- the middle film of which, 2003’s “Oldboy,” about a man who embarks on a murderous mission after being released from a long captivity, has become a fan favorite over the last decade.

Audiences are set to get another dose of Park in the not-too-distant future: Spike Lee is set to begin shooting an English-language remake of “Oldboy” this fall in Louisiana and New York.

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