Hope: Michael Fassbender’s new sci-fi thriller gets a tentative release window in 2026

After Bong Joon Ho and Park Chan-wook, another South Korean director will return with a feature film. Titled Hope, the new sci-fi thriller is eyeing a release in summer 2026, as per Variety.

The project comes from Na Hong-jin, the acclaimed writer-director behind 2016's The Wailing, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Its critical and commercial success paved the way for the filmmaker to work on his latest film. It marks his return in a feature directorial role, and the project is said to be his most ambitious yet.

Hope will bring South Korean stars along with some international names, such as Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton. The film is co-produced by Plus M Entertainment, which will also handle the film's international sales, while UTA Independent Film Group holds the North American rights.

What is the Michael Fassbender-starrer Hope about?

Michael Fassbender will play an extraterrestrial entity that affects a South Korean town, dealing with an existential crisis. The rest of the international cast, as revealed earlier, will also star as extraterrestrials.

The film's plot synopsis, per IMDb, reads,

"A mysterious discovery is made on the outskirts of the remote harbor town. The residents find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against something they have never encountered before."

With this film, director Na Hong-jin will work once again with Hwang Jung-min. He previously starred in Na's The Wailing as a shaman brought into a small village to help them get rid of the demons haunting them. Hwang will now play Bum-Seok, a police chief trying to solve an urgent crisis after a tiger attacks a small town.

Na's new film is also set in a remote village and follows a group of locals, but their lives may not be affected by the supernatural. Instead, in their native Demilitarized Zone, they will have to confront a far bigger tragedy than anticipated. What seems like a containable crisis ends up being something beyond their control or comprehension.

In this journey, Hoyeon (The Squid Game) plays Sung-ae, a newbie officer who may be driven more by her ideals that may not help deal with her reality. Zo In-sung (Moving) joins them as Sung-ki, a strong-willed native on the hunt for a creature affecting their town. It all adds up in the town's gradual unraveling as they face the extraterrestrials.

More details about Na Hong-jin's Hope

"The Strangers (Goksung)" - Red Carpet Arrivals - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival - Source: Getty

While often known for his work in The Wailing, filmmaker Na Hong-jin's work has been positively received. He is also the creative mind behind action thrillers like The Chaser (2008) and The Yellow Sea (2010), which explore the lengths his characters will go to get what they want. His films are bleak and violent, but they go far beyond being just flashy and visceral displays of violence.

While speaking about his upcoming Hope, Na Hong-hin told Variety,

“I’m deeply grateful to the actors for taking on these roles and delivering such dedicated performances. They conveyed everything this film set out to capture with remarkable talent and focus. I have felt this every time, but their collective presence is truly extraordinary.”

As revealed earlier, Hope is expected to release in summer 2026.