Na Hong-Jin Debuts ‘Hope’ at Comic-Con, Praises Hoyeon Casting
13 reported
South Korean director Na Hong-Jin made his San Diego Comic-Con debut to preview his latest film, Neon's alien action movie "Hope." The film is set in the remote village of Hope Harbor, where a mysterious creature has wreaked havoc, and police and local hunters set out to track the beast only to find themselves hunted. Na said the film is a continuation of his metaphors but completely different in style and content, advising audiences to abandon assumptions from his previous work. He called casting Hoyeon, who broke out internationally in Netflix's "Squid Game," one of his best decisions for the 10-year passion project. Hoyeon appears as a tenacious police officer, a role recommended by lead actor Hwang Jung-min, who had never met her. During the panel, Na teased that 90% of the characters might perish but would not reveal who. The film also stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton, and premiered in competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Neon plans to release "Hope" in the U.S. on Sept. 9, and Na has revealed he has a script for a sequel.
What’s reported
Na Hong-Jin made his San Diego Comic-Con debut to preview "Hope."
"Hope" is an alien action movie set in the remote village of Hope Harbor.
A mysterious creature has wreaked havoc; police and local hunters are hunted instead.
Na said the film is a continuation of his metaphors but completely different in style and content.
Na called casting Hoyeon one of his best decisions for the film.
Hoyeon broke out internationally in Netflix's "Squid Game."
Lead actor Hwang Jung-min recommended Hoyeon for the role of a police officer, though he had never met her.
Hoyeon spent six months learning to drive a manual stick-shift car for a scene.
Na teased that 90% of the characters might perish but would not reveal who.
"Hope" also stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton.
The film premiered in competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Neon plans to release "Hope" in the U.S. on Sept. 9.
Na has a script for a sequel and would like to shoot it if possible.
Key figures
Na Hong-Jin: South Korean director
Hoyeon: Actress, star of "Squid Game"
Hwang Jung-min: Lead actor in "Hope"
Michael Fassbender: Actor in "Hope"
Alicia Vikander: Actress in "Hope"
Taylor Russell: Actress in "Hope"
Cameron Britton: Actor in "Hope"
Sources: Variety
