Netflix has officially announced Tygo, an explosive new action thriller that expands the global Extraction universe to South Korea. The highly anticipated film stars Korean action powerhouse Don Lee, Squid Game’s Lee Jin-uk, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Lalisa Manobal) in her first major film role. This marks the ninth collaboration between Netflix and AGBO, the production company founded by directors Anthony and Joe Russo, demonstrating the streaming giant’s continued investment in expanding its most successful action franchise.
Set within the shared universe of Netflix’s blockbuster Extraction franchise, Tygo follows a former child soldier turned mercenary who embarks on a revenge mission through Korea’s underworld after a mission gone wrong. The project, which has been in development for years, represents a significant cultural expansion for the franchise, bringing distinctly Korean filmmaking sensibilities to a property that has already proven massively successful with global audiences.
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The Extraction Universe Expands to Korea
The Extraction franchise has become one of Netflix’s most valuable properties since the first film premiered in 2020. Ninety million households watched the inaugural installment within its first four weeks, making it the streamer’s biggest film premiere at the time. The sequel, Extraction 2, debuted at number one on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies list in 2023, where it remained for seven consecutive weeks while amassing over 123 million views.
Both Extraction films, based on a graphic novel created by the Russo Brothers and Ande Parks, were written by Joe Russo and starred Chris Hemsworth as Australian mercenary Tyler Rake. Directed by Sam Hargrave, the movies depicted high-stakes search-and-rescue missions around the globe. The first film saw Rake rescuing an Indian drug lord’s kidnapped son in Bangladesh, while the sequel took him to Georgia to extract a crime lord’s family from a heavily fortified prison.
Tygo represents a bold expansion of this universe, exploring the world of covert mercenary operations through a distinctly South Korean lens. The film promises to blend the high-octane action sequences that made the Extraction films global phenomenons with the precision choreography and emotional depth that has made Korean cinema a dominant force in international entertainment.
Star-Studded Cast Led by Korean Action Legend
Don Lee, internationally recognized for his powerhouse performances in The Roundup franchise, Marvel Studios’ Eternals, and the zombie thriller Train to Busan, leads the cast as Tygo. Lee’s involvement extends beyond acting, as he has been developing the project for years through his Big Punch Pictures production company in collaboration with AGBO.
Lee expressed his enthusiasm for finally bringing the project to fruition, stating that he is thrilled this collaboration with AGBO is moving into production. He emphasized that Tygo brings a distinctly Korean identity into the global Extraction universe, and the team cannot wait to unleash its explosive energy on audiences worldwide. Lee’s return to Netflix following his successes with The Roundup series and his Marvel debut positions him perfectly to anchor this ambitious international production.
Joining Lee is Lee Jin-uk, who has gained global recognition through his roles in Netflix’s Squid Game, Sweet Home, and most recently Beyond the Bar. His character details remain under wraps, though early reports suggest he may portray a crime boss locked in a high-tension confrontation with Lee’s protagonist. The actor expressed his excitement about joining the Extraction universe, noting that as a fan of the franchise, it’s a great honor to participate. He added that he’s especially thrilled to work alongside Don Lee, whom he has always admired, and with Lisa as well, promising to present a film that lives up to audience expectations.
Lisa’s Historic Film Debut
Perhaps the most buzz-worthy casting announcement involves Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal of BLACKPINK, the world-renowned K-pop group. Fresh off her acting debut in HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3, where she played the character Mook, Lisa steps into her first major film role with Tygo. For the global superstar known primarily for her musical prowess as a rapper, singer, and dancer, this represents a significant career evolution.
Lisa shared her profound gratitude for the opportunity, expressing that she’s honored to be part of the project and thankful for the chance to work alongside such incredible actors. She revealed that being in an action movie has always been a dream of hers, making her film debut in such an exciting project feel very special. Her casting demonstrates Netflix and AGBO’s commitment to assembling a truly international cast capable of appealing to diverse global audiences.
Visionary Creative Team
Behind the camera, Tygo will be directed by Lee Sang-yong, the acclaimed filmmaker responsible for The Roundup and The Roundup: No Way Out. His experience crafting kinetic action sequences with emotional resonance makes him an ideal choice to bring Korean filmmaking excellence to the Extraction universe. The screenplay comes from writer Cha Woo-jin, who will craft a narrative that balances explosive action with character-driven storytelling.
The producing team represents a powerhouse collaboration between Korean and American entertainment industry leaders. Don Lee produces for Big Punch Pictures, while Anthony and Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, Michael Disco, and Albert J. Kim produce for AGBO. Won-ki Choi produces for Nova Film Inc, and Chris S. Lee produces for B&C Group, which serves as co-producer alongside Nova Film.
Angela Russo-Otstot, AGBO’s producer and chief creative officer, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. She expressed excitement about exploring the world of Extraction through a South Korean lens, teaming up with legendary action star Don Lee and visionary director Lee Sang-yong, whose dynamic choreography exemplifies the world-class craft of Korean cinema. She welcomed Lisa as a truly multitalented global phenomenon and Lee Jin-uk as one of Korea’s most charismatic and versatile actors, noting that Tygo marks AGBO and Netflix’s ninth collaboration and reflects their shared commitment to bold, global storytelling.
The Extraction Universe Continues to Grow
Tygo is not the only expansion of the Extraction franchise currently in development. An Extraction television series led by showrunner Glen Mazzara is in production in Dublin, starring Omar Sy. This demonstrates Netflix’s multi-platform approach to expanding the universe, creating opportunities for longer-form storytelling alongside standalone feature films.
AGBO’s partnership with Netflix has proven remarkably fruitful, producing not only the Extraction films but also The Gray Man and the upcoming The Electric State. The production company has established itself as a leading force in creating local-language stories for global audiences, beginning with Mosul, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. This commitment has continued through the Citadel universe, with successful local productions in Italy and India achieving number one status in their respective markets while finding tremendous success worldwide.
Production Status and Anticipation
While Netflix has not announced a specific release date for Tygo, the project is moving forward into production following years of development. First-look images released by Netflix show the principal cast at a table read, suggesting the production is in its early stages. Given the extensive international location work required and the complexity of action sequences typical of the Extraction franchise, audiences can likely expect the film to premiere sometime in 2026 or 2027.
The combination of Korean action cinema’s renowned choreography and stunt work with the Extraction franchise’s proven formula for high-stakes thriller entertainment has generated significant anticipation among both action film enthusiasts and fans of the original franchise. The addition of a global superstar like Lisa to the cast virtually guarantees massive international attention, particularly in Asian markets where her fanbase numbers in the hundreds of millions.
For fans of the Extraction franchise seeking their next fix of adrenaline-fueled action, Tygo promises to deliver the explosive set pieces and emotional stakes that made the original films so successful, while offering a fresh perspective rooted in Korean culture and filmmaking traditions. As the Extraction universe continues to expand across multiple films and a television series, Tygo represents a crucial step in establishing the franchise as a truly global phenomenon capable of supporting diverse stories set in different cultural contexts around the world.
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FAQs
What is Tygo about?
Tygo follows a former child soldier turned mercenary, played by Don Lee, who embarks on a revenge mission through Korea’s criminal underworld after a mission goes wrong, uncovering dark conspiracies in the process.
When will Tygo be released on Netflix?
Netflix has not announced an official release date for Tygo. The film is currently in early production stages, with a likely premiere window in 2026 or 2027.
Who stars in Tygo?
Tygo stars Don Lee (The Roundup, Eternals) as the lead, Lee Jin-uk (Squid Game, Sweet Home), and BLACKPINK’s Lisa Manobal in her first major film role.
Is Tygo part of the Extraction universe?
Yes, Tygo is an official spinoff set within the shared universe of Netflix’s Extraction franchise, which began with Chris Hemsworth’s 2020 film and continued with Extraction 2 in 2023.
Who is directing Tygo?
Tygo is directed by Lee Sang-yong, the acclaimed filmmaker behind The Roundup and The Roundup: No Way Out, known for his dynamic action choreography and emotional storytelling.
