Japanese publisher Futabasha announced that its legal disputes with Show East productions will not affect the American film adaptation of the Old Boy manga. Instead, the company offered its support, as well as the support of Old Boy creators Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi, to DreamWorks in regards to the company's plans to adapt the title.

Universal Pictures holds the option rights to Old Boy. The American film adaptation of the Old Boy manga will be handled by Stephen Spielberg and Will Smith.

Currently, Futabasha is in the middle of a legal dispute with South Korean studio Show East Production for alleged breach of contract. Futabasha filed suit in the Seoul Centeral District Court on August 15. Concerns arose regarding the DreamWorks's adaptation when the suit was made public on June 17.