Dimension Films announced today that they have acquired the rights to the English-language remake of The Man from Nowhere. The original high octane South Korean action thriller was 2010's highest grossing film at the Korean box office surpassing blockbusters such as Inception and Iron Man 2.

"We have always been huge action and martial arts fans and are getting back into the genre in a big way with The Man from Nowhere," said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company. It's a slick, fast-paced action thriller anchored by a strong emotional relationship that audiences are going to love."

Dimension has tapped Shawn Christensen (Abduction) to pen the script. The original film follows a quiet pawnshop keeper with a violent past who takes on a drug and organ-trafficking ring to save the child who is his only friend.

Shawn Christensen previously wrote Abduction, released by Lionsgate, and The Karma Coalition, a spec that sold to Warner Brothers. He also co-wrote the soon to be released Lionsgate film Enter Nowhere, with Jason Dolan, as well as Sidney Hall, which the two are developing with Scott Free and Fox Searchlight.

"I am excited and honored to work alongside Bob and the team at Dimension," said Christensen. "I'm a huge fan of the original The Man from Nowhere, and look forward to bringing it to American audiences."

Dimension Films acquired the rights from CJ Entertainment. The deal was negotiated by Ted Kim for CJ Entertainment; Andrew Kramer, President of Business and Legal Affairs and Adrian Lopez, VP of Business and Legal, for Dimension Films. Keith Levine, VP of Production and Development, found the project and will oversee with Matthew Signer, SVP of Production and Creative Affairs. Christensen is repped by Verve, Caliber Media and attorney Alan Hergott.