John Hurt Is Latest Awesome Addition To Awesome Cast Of Bong Joon-Ho's 'Snow Piercer'

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by Oliver Lyttelton
January 23, 2012 11:20 AM
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At the grand old age of 72, nearly fifty years after his first screen appearance, John Hurt is seemingly busier than ever. The actor has no fewer than eleven credits from 2011, ranging from his snarling supporting turn in "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and high-class work in "Melancholia" to short films and cameos in blockbusters like 'Harry Potter' and "Immortals." The actor has always pursued work with a diverse range of directors, and shows no sign of stopping there as he's just signed up for the latest film for one of the most acclaimed names in international cinema in the last few years.

Thanks to a tip from a reader -- cheers Carmen! -- pointing us towards an interview with The Telegraph in support of his role in "Sailcoat," one of two films featuring Hurt on the Oscar Live Action Short shortlist, the actor reveals that he's the latest thesp with a ticket to board "Snow Piercer," the English-language debut of Korean helmer Bong Joon-Ho, the man behind "Memories of Murder," "The Host" and "Mother." Based on a French graphic novel called "La Transperceneige," the project is set in an icy, apocalyptic future, on board a train of survivors divided into carriages by their class, and while there's no detail on his role, Hurt joins Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell and Song Kang-Ho in the project. Not too shabby, eh?

Hurt seems to be looking forward to the film, commenting mischieviously that "All the film crew refer to him, with great reverence, as 'Director Bong.' I love the fact that I am working for Director Bong." And given that "Before The Devil Knows You're Dead" scribe Kelly Masterson is currently rewriting a script from the director and "Oldboy" writer/director Park Chan-Wook, we don't blame him. Filming starts in March for a 2013 release.

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