While preparing to make his 2004 monster film, "The Host," director Bong Joon Ho visited his a Hongdae comic book shop and found Jean Marc Rochette's French graphic novel "Le Transperceneige."
He finished reading the entire series standing in front of the bookshelf. He was fascinated by the post-apocalyptic story and showed it to friend and fellow director Park Chan Wook. In 2005, Park's production company Moho Films secured the screen rights to the film, which is now called "Snowpiercer."
Recently released stills offer a glimpse into the story, which was adapted for the screen by Bong and Kelly Masterson. The film has an impressive cast, including Academy Award-winning actress Tilda Swinton as the prime minister. Chris Evans plays as a revolutionary and John Hurt is the leader of the train's rear section. Octavia Spencer plays a mother looking for her abducted son, while Song Kang Ho plays a lock-picking drug addict. Ko Asung plays the addict's daughter and has the ability to see sound. Jamie Bell is Evan's righthand man.
The story takes place in 2031, when attempts to stop global warming have turned the Earth into an ice planet. The only remaining humans exist inside a giant train that constantly travels the earth. The train has a class system, with the lower classes dressed in rags.
The film will be Bong's English language debut. His film "The Host" was the highest grossing Korean film of all time and critics agreed that it raised the standard for what to expect from a horror film.
In 2008, Bong went on to direct a segment of the film, "Tokyo!" about a man who was never inclined to leave home until he fell in love with a pizza delivery girl. His fourth feature film, "Mother" tells the story of a woman who tries to save her disabled son from a murder accusation. It was shown at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and starred actress Kim Hye Ja.
Film bloggers were excited to see "Snowpiercer" stills. According to the blog Cinemablend.com, the films "Oblivion" and "Star Trek Into Darkness" are the year's two most anticipated sci-fi flicks but everyone knows what to expect from them. The blog said that, "Arguably more exciting for those looking for something outside the box is "Snowpiercer," the English-language debut from South Korean director Joon Ho Bong, who gave audiences the rollicking good time that was the creature feature, "The Host."
Netizen reactions were positive and included, "This looks cool. This will rock." And, comments agreed that with this cast, the film could be really good.
