'Hope' sequel already written, director Na Hong-jin says after Cannes premiere

Na Hong-jin said on May 18 at the Cannes Film Festival that he has already written a sequel to “Hope,” a day after the South Korean director premiered the sci-fi thriller in competition. The disclosure came during press interviews in Cannes after the film’s May 17 debut. Variety first reported the sequel remarks, and Reuters separately reported Na saying he had already sketched out the next story. “Hope” is Na’s first feature since 2016’s “The Wailing,” and Reuters reported that he said the new film took more than eight years to make. The Cannes title is set in a remote village near the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea, where mysterious entities throw the community into chaos. (variety.com) ### What exactly did Na Hong-jin say about a sequel? Na told journalists on May 18, “I’ve actually written the story down. I’d love to make it, and if the opportunity arises, I’ll certainly have to,” according to Reuters. Variety separately quoted him as saying viewers could “readily imagine this sequel” and that there was “a script that’s already been done” that he would like to shoot. (yahoo.com) The remarks show that the follow-up is more advanced than a vague idea. Variety reported that Na discussed franchise plans during the Cannes press conference held after the premiere. ### What is “Hope,” and who is in it? “Hope” stars Hwang Jung-min at the center of the story as a local police chief, Reuters reported. (yahoo.com) Variety said the cast also includes Zo In-sung, Hoyeon Jung, Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton. Variety reported that Fassbender, Vikander and Russell play CGI aliens invading Earth. (variety.com) Reuters described Vikander and Fassbender, who are married, as taking the roles of extraterrestrial beings. ### Why was Cannes the moment for this disclosure? The Cannes premiere took place on May 17, and Reuters reported that Na spoke the next day, on May 18. (yahoo.com) Variety described “Hope” as an alien action epic that had just premiered Sunday night when Na confirmed the sequel was already in the works. (variety.com) Reuters reported that “Hope” is Na’s first film to compete for the Palme d’Or after all four of his features screened at Cannes. The film is also the only Korean title in competition this year, under a jury headed by South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, Reuters said. ### What did the cast say in Cannes? (yahoo.com) Alicia Vikander said she became interested in Korean cinema after attending the Busan film festival early in her career and later sought out Na’s work, according to Reuters and Variety. She said of the director, “I think director Na is incredible, such a visionary,” Reuters reported. (yahoo.com) Michael Fassbender gave the briefest explanation for joining the film. “Alicia told me to do it,” he said, according to both Reuters and Variety. Taylor Russell told Variety she had wanted to work in a different country and on a foreign-language production with an auteur director. (yahoo.com) ### What happens next for “Hope”? Cannes will award the Palme d’Or on May 23, and Reuters reported that “Hope” is one of 22 films competing for the prize. Any sequel would depend on opportunity and financing, based on Na’s comments in Cannes, but the immediate next step is the rest of the festival run for the first film. (yahoo.com)