'Hope': Creature Feature Hits Premium Theaters Sept. 7

The acclaimed Korean action film 'Hope,' directed by Na Hong-jin, is set for an early theatrical debut on premium screens across the U.S. Distributor Neon announced that select large-format screenings will occur on September 7, two days before the film's wide release on September 9. This strategy aims to build buzz through advanced screenings in various high-end formats like Dolby Cinema and IMAX.

'Hope' has garnered significant attention since its premiere, earning $35 million in South Korea and becoming the country's third-largest domestic release this year. The film is described as a "visceral spectacle" and a "rip-roaring sci-fi creature feature." It follows police in the fictional border town of Hope Harbor as they hunt a mysterious, massive creature.

This marks Na Hong-jin's first feature film in approximately a decade, following his critically successful genre films like 'The Chaser' and 'The Wailing.' He reunites with 'The Wailing' cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo for the project. The film's score is by Michael Abels, known for his work on 'Get Out' and 'Nope.'

Conceived as a potential franchise starter, 'Hope' has already secured pre-sales in about 200 territories, a record for a Korean film. International distributors have shown strong interest, with deals reportedly recouping nearly half of the movie's net production budget before its release.