If there was ever any doubt that a movie would be made about last year’s dramatic Thailand cave rescue, those doubts can now be laid to rest. On Tuesday, Netflix announced that it will be partnering with the production company responsible for Crazy Rich Asians to make a film about the famous rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach, trapped inside a flooded cave in Northern Thailand for over two weeks.
Photo: 2p2play/Shutterstock
Netflix Announces Movie About the Thailand Cave Rescue
On June 23 of last year, the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach became trapped in the cave when flood waters closed in around them. With the aid of an international rescue crew, including British divers and Thai navy SEALs, they were found and brought to safety on July 10 after a dangerous and complex operation that took the life of one Thai navy diver.
Ekkapol Chantawong, the boy’s coach, said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to thank the people and organizations 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 recognize, once again, the heroes that made the rescue operation a success.”
In a statement, Erika North, director of International Originals at Netflix, expressed her gratitude to be able to tell such an incredible story. “Thailand is a very important country for Netflix,” she said, “and we are looking forward to bringing this inspiring local but globally resonant story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to live, once again, for global audiences.”
AP reports that 15 percent of the film’s revenue will be donated to disaster relief organizations and that each of the survivors’ families will also be paid $94,000.
At the end of 2018, six months after the rescue, Thailand’s Tham Luang cave became a tourist attraction, with over 100 kiosks lining the road to the entrance, selling food, T-shirts, and other souvenirs. 
H/T: NBC News