[HanCinema's News] Director Na Hong-jin Talks About "HOPE Part 1"

It has been seven years since the release of director Na Hong-jin's last project, "The Wailing" back in 2015. In a recent interview, Na Hong-jin claimed that scene-by-scene, he started to get ideas for "HOPE Part 1" back in 2017 and 2018, and this was how the story started for the science fiction thriller. Serious talks for production kicked off last year when Na Hong-jin was able to get Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon interested in the project.

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As Na Hong-jin tells the story, one day he was just eating dinner at a restaurant and had an eerie experience alongside a bright light. Shortly thereafter a news broadcast on a nearby television introduced the subject. Na Hong-jin started working the concept from that scene. The full concept for "HOPE Part 1" takes place in three parts, and the number used for investors for funding the full project was eighty million dollars.

However, Na Hong-jin admitted that even just a single film in the series could be the most expensive South Korean film of all time. He said that "HOPE Part 1" has more big budget spectacle scenes than "Alienoid" which is the current cost leader in South Korean film. Na Hong-jin said that while three films is preferable, he's confident that the story can be told in one if necessary. Na Hong-jin said that while he has scenarios for all three movies, so far he's only written the first one.

Na Hong-jin clarified that "HOPE Part 1" is not envisioned as a series, despite his concept of multiple parts and stories. Na Hong-jin stated that "HOPE Part 1" is intended as cinematic form, not just for South Korean audiences but also worldwide ones. However, Na Hong-jin also admitted that "HOPE Part 1" may end up being distributed by streaming services, regardless of this theatrical intent in the design of the story.

"HOPE Part 1" has also attracted interest for casting Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander as a married couple. Both have reportedly been moved by Na Hong-jin's work, is why they agreed to appear in this movie. Na Hong-jin said that the two really wanted to do another film together and that his agency in the United States, UTA Agency, contacted them about the new project. It is not yet known when or where "HOPE Part 1" will be made available to public audiences.

Written by William Schwartz