Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s latest action film, “I, The Executioner,” a sequel to “Veteran” (2015), has been invited to the Special Presentations section of the 49th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), its distributor CJ ENM said Tuesday.

This is the second consecutive time that a film by Ryoo was invited to TIFF following last year's invitation to the Gala Presentation section for his crime film "Smugglers" (2023).

“I, The Executioner” follows the story of "Veteran" detective Seo Do-cheol, played by actor Hwang Jung-min, and new team member Park Sun-woo, played by actor Jung Hae-in, as they chase after a serial killer.

"I, The Executioner" had its premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screening in May.

Its prequel, “Veteran,” was also invited to TIFF’s Vanguard section in 2015. It hit local theaters in August 2015 and garnered 13 million moviegoers during its release. The film revolves around Do-cheol and his team investigating a case involving an heir, Tae-oh, played by actor Yoo Ah-in.

Historical drama film “Harbin,” starring actors Hyun Bin and Park Jeong-min, was also invited to TIFF’s Gala Presentations section and is set to have its grand world premiere at the event.

TIFF will kick off on Sept. 5 and end on Sept. 15.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]