Michael Fassbender Shares Why He Chose to Play an Alien in the Korean Sci-Fi Film ‘Hope’: “Alicia Encouraged Me!” – Cannes

In an unexpected twist for the sci-fi genre, Michael Fassbender, Oscar winner Alicia Vikander, and Taylor Russell star as extraterrestrial antagonists in the film Hope, directed by South Korea’s Na Hong-Jin.

The collaboration began when Vikander attended the Busan Film Festival a few years ago, where she developed a strong appreciation for Korean cinema. During discussions with Na, he pitched a long-gestating project centered on aliens. However, the challenge was that Na only had roles for alien characters.

“I was intrigued. I didn’t think. I said ‘Yes!’” Vikander remarked at a press conference in Cannes.

Watch on Deadline

Fassbender, who returns to the genre after his roles in the X-Men series, attributed his involvement to his wife’s encouragement. “Alicia told me to do it!” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

The actor, known for films like Shame and Prometheus, expressed his fascination with Na’s directorial style. “You don’t know what’s coming next… he’s mixing genres, comedy, then absurd, then very real,” he said.

Na clarified that the inclusion of English-speaking actors was not initially part of his vision. “They’re very important characters. It’s true that in this film, the three Korean actors play an important part… Michael, Alicia, and Taylor, all these three characters really have their own world. I sort of hope that I could create a whole world around them. It wasn’t a package in any way. I really admired Michael and wanted to work with him,” he explained.

Hope tells the story of an alien invasion from the planet Gh’ertu, which crash-lands in the rural South Korean town of Hope Harbor. Chaos erupts as these aliens, representing various shapes and class divisions from their world, confront the local inhabitants. Fassbender, Vikander, and Russell portray significant members of the Gh’ertu royal family.

This film marks the fourth entry from Na to debut at the Cannes Film Festival, having previously presented works in both Midnight and Un Certain Regard sections. Hope is in competition and garnered a seven-minute standing ovation following its world premiere.