Director Na Hong-jin’s upcoming film, intriguingly titled “Hope,” is drawing attention among movie enthusiasts despite the limited details disclosed thus far. This is his first movie in global-scale production. Na Hong-jin is renowned for his tremendously successful film record, with no mishaps among critics and the general public. Here’s what we know about this eagerly anticipated film.
Filmograpy of Director Na hong-jin
What is behind this heightened anticipation surrounding the forthcoming film “Hope”? There is an impeccable filmography of Director Na Hong-jin. Every single film Na Hong-jin has come up with thus far has been a box office hit, and none of them have failed to meet critics’ expectations either. Even representative directors of Korea like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho have made mistakes in their careers. Because Na Hong-jin has yet to venture into Hollywood, the expectation mounts that his upcoming film will place him onto the global film industry stage.
The Chaser (추격자, 2008)
“The Chaser” is Director Na Hong-jin’s debut film and starred Kim Yoon-seok and Ha Jung-woo, both of whom grew to become major actors in Korea. Although this film was rated PG-18, it was a box office hit despite a dwindling target audience. The iconic line from this film, “Hey, 4885, is that you?” referencing the suspect’s mobile number, became so popular that it became a meme. Its impact resonated, earning an IMDb rating of 7.8.
The Yellow Sea (황해, 2010)
In 2010, Na Hong-jin introduced his second film following “The Chaser,” which was also rated PG-18 and starred Kim Yoon-seok and Ha Jung-woo. Although “The Yellow Sea” fell behind “The Chaser” in box office success, the film was acclaimed for its artistic merit, holding an IMDb rating of 7.3.
Following “The Yellow Sea,” Director Na Hong-jin was reported to suggested to venture into Hollywood. However, due to the lower-than-expected performance of “The Yellow Sea” at the box office, the director decided to make one more film targeting domestic market before going abroad.
The Wailing (곡성 or Gokseong, 2016)
Six years later, in 2016, Na Hong-jin released “The Wailing,” another significant film in his career and in the Korean film industry. Unlike his previous works, it carried PG-15 rating, but its horrifying narrative and violence were practically on par with an adult rating. It blended horror, occult, and mystery genres.
The movie starred prominent Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Kwak Do-won, and renowned Japanese actor Jun Kunimura. No wonder it showed excellent acting performances. “The Wailing” was a thought-provoking film resulting in numerous interpretations and discussions across various communities after its release.
Receiving critical acclaim from most reviewers, it generally gathered recognition as a masterpiece. Additionally, it surpassed his debut film “The Chaser,” in the box office.
The Korean title “Gokseong” refers to a local area in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. It holds an IMDb rating of 7.4.
Synopsis of Na hong-jin’s “Hope”
The narrative unfolds in a secluded village named Hopo Port, which witnesses the presence of a mysterious creature. The residents unexpectedly notice the enigmatic creature’s presence on the periphery of the village. At one point, when the creature launches an assault on them, they fight for their lives one the verge of being destroyed.
The movie started with a scene that popped in his head: at a restaurant, while people are eating, an inexplicable incident happens in a bright light. Soon afterwards, the incident is broadcasted on the TV news. The imagination developed into Na Hong-jin’s film “Hope.”
Na Hong-jin shared a cryptic sketch of the enigmatic presence he conjured on his social media. At first glance tell the sketch hints at extraterrestrial beings, suggesting that the enigmatic presence could be of an alien. Based on the sketch, it is safe to assume that “Hope” fits into the genre of sci-fi movie.
Expanding on the film’s theme, Na Hong-jin infuses a very societal idea into the film: the tendency for good intentions, combined with societal disparities, can cause fatal outcomes. This insightful exploration of human behavior and societal dynamics will be depicted in “Hope.”
Casting
Although the specific details of each actor’s role in the film have not been disclosed, the cast is undoubtedly star-studded. The participation of as many A-list Hollywood actors as in “Hope” cannot be found in any Korean film.
Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander
Academy Award-winning actress Alicia Vikander, known for her role in “The Danish Girl” and as Lara Croft in the “Tomb Raider” reboot, was cast alongside her husband, Michael Fassbender, renowned for his roles in the “X-Men” series and “Alien: Covenant.” This is their second collaboration, following their appearance together in “The Light Between Oceans.”
While their specific roles remain undisclosed, Vikander and Fassbender are reported to portray a couple in “Hope.” They have publicly expressed their admiration for the director’s previous works, particularly citing “The Chaser” and “The Wailing,” which might explain their decision to join the film.
Hwang Jung-min(황정민)
He has always been delivering compelling performances, but recently, he has gained international acclamation, notably for his role as Pastor Jeon Yo-hwan in the Netflix series “Narco-Saints” and of Yakuza boss in “Kill BokSoon.” In “The Wailing,” Na Hong-jin’s previous works, he made an intense impression with a remarkable portrayal of a male shaman named Il-gwang.
Jo In-sung(조인성)
He recently appeared in the Disney+ drama “Moving.” In “Hope,” he portrays a hunter named Sung-gi.
Jung Ho-yeon(정호연)
Jung Ho-yeon propelled to global stardom after her portrayal of 067 in the Netflix series “Squid Game.” Now, she is making her debut in the Korean film industry with “Hope.”
Following “Squid Game,” she has ventured into Hollywood, appearing in various works including Apple TV+’s “The Disclaimer” and the film “The Governesses,” directed by Joe Talbot.
Director Na Hong-jin explained that his in-person meeting with Ho-yeon perfectly resonated with his envisioned image of the protagonist, Sung-ae, a police officer in “Hope.” He acclaimed her positive and vibrant energy and noted that her presence and performance in “Hope” will significantly elevate the film.
Taylor Russell
Taylor Russell gained international acclaim with Edward Schultz’s film “Waves” and the Netflix TV series “Lost in Space.” In her following project, Luca Guadagnino’s movie “Bones and All,” she showcased an impressive chemistry with Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet by portraying Marianne. Her delicate acting and explorations of identity earned her the Best Young Actor award at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. She has also been nominated for accolades at the Independent Spirit Awards and other notable ceremonies.
As a young emerging actress, her casting might have been more unexpected compared to others in the filming of “Hope.” Director Na Hong-jin remarked, “Taylor Russell’s captivating and thoughtful gaze exerts poignancy. She fits to express the emotions of the role.” He also noted, “She will not only encapsulate her character but also vividly portray the circumstances and emotions of the other roles.”
Cameron Britton
Cameron Britton is known for his chilling portrayal of the notorious serial killer Ed Kemper in the Netflix original series “Mindhunter,” which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Afterwards, he joined projects such as the Netflix original series “The Umbrella Academy” and Mark Foster’s recent film “A Man Called Otto.”
Director Na Hong-jin praised Cameron Britton, describing him as a “multilayered actor realizing different dimensions.” The director also noted, “He’s poised to encapsulate the mysteries the character hides within himself. I believe Cameron’s nuanced performance will brilliantly capture the character’s complex psychology.”
Filming of “Hope”
“Hope” is being shot both in Korea and abroad, with the primary shooting location within Namchang Village in Bukpyeong-myeon, Haenam County, Jeollanam-do. Filming in Korea is set to commence in October, followed by shoots in international locations.
Haenam is actively cooperating with the film’s production and looking for ways to utilize film sets for other purposes afterwards, including allowing the sets to be used for a tourism attraction.
Moreover, it has been revealed that Hong Kyung-pyo, a cinematographer known for his exceptional work in films like “The Wailing,” “Parasite,” and “Deliver Us from Evil,” is involved in the project as the director of photography.
Behind the Scene
- In the beginning, filming of “Hope” was proposed as a collaborative project to proceeded in the US under a partnership with Alfonso Cuarón, known for films like “Roma” and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” However, the final decision is that “Hope” remains mostly a domestic project with Korean production and distribution companies involved.
- There were rumors that “Hope” would be developed into a trilogy with a total production budget exceeding 100 billion Korean won (77 million dollars). Approximately, the production cost for “Hope” Part 1 set records in Korean cinema history, surpassing the budget of “Alienoid,” directed by Choi Dong-hoon.
- Although Na Hong-jin did not disclose specific production budgets, he hinted at the possibility that “Hope” would become a trilogy or more. He explained, “Originally, I intended to fit all the stories into one. However, I realized that a single film would contain too many scenes while writing the narrative. Naturally, the narrative expanded into a trilogy. However, it’s not set in stone. Each narrative may further expand and unfold. Apart from the first part, I haven’t written the script for the rest.”
- Director Na Hong-jin affirmed that “Hope” won’t be an OTT series but a standalone film. Amidst the rise of OTT series, Na Hong-jin is determined to make “Hope” as film for theaters and for the cinematic experience, not as an OTT series.
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