Fassbender on Na Hong-jin's 'Hope': 'My wife told me to do it'

At the 79th Cannes Film Festival, Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender shared insights into his unique role in director Na Hong-jin's highly anticipated film, 'Hope.' Fassbender, known for his roles in the 'X-Men' franchise, revealed that a significant part of his experience involved portraying an alien without his face being visible on screen, a departure from his usual work.

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The most enjoyable part of working with director Na Hong-jin was that the actor himself doesn't know what will happen next. Director Na always mixes various genres like reality, comedy, and the bizarre within one film, so actors can have a very rare cinematic experience.

Fassbender described working with Na Hong-jin as a thrilling experience, noting the director's ability to seamlessly blend reality, comedy, and the bizarre within a single narrative. He highlighted this as a rare cinematic opportunity for any actor. He also humorously attributed his participation to his wife, actress Alicia Vikander, who also stars in the film alongside Taylor Russell. Vikander herself expressed her admiration for Asian cinema after visiting the Busan International Film Festival in 2021, and was particularly impressed by Na Hong-jin's earlier work, 'The Chaser.'

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My wife told me to do it.

Taylor Russell echoed the sentiment, mentioning Vikander's recommendation and expressing her excitement about working with Na Hong-jin on a film in a different language and country. She found the filming process enjoyable, largely due to Na's ability to keep her laughing. Fassbender also commented on the challenges of the role, stating that while performing in an alien language was manageable thanks to repeated listening to recordings, the physical movement and action sequences were more demanding.

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After visiting the Busan International Film Festival in 2021, I fell in love with Asian films. Later, I was surprised and very pleased after watching Na Hong-jin's 'The Chaser,' and a few years later, I received a proposal for an alien role in director Na's sci-fi film. Of course, I said yes.

From a South Korean perspective, 'Hope' represents a significant international collaboration, showcasing the global appeal of director Na Hong-jin's unique storytelling. The film's inclusion in the Cannes competition underscores the growing international recognition of Korean cinema's artistic merit and its capacity to produce genre-bending narratives that captivate global audiences. The fact that Fassbender and Vikander, prominent international stars, are not only participating but also enthusiastically promoting the film highlights the director's strong reputation and the project's ambitious scope. The film's release in South Korea in July is eagerly awaited, promising a unique cinematic experience that blends familiar Hollywood talent with distinctive Korean directorial vision.

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It was my dream to appear in a film in a different country and in a different language, and I was happy to work with director Na, who makes amazing films. Director Na made me laugh constantly from the first time we met, so I enjoyed filming.