Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Kelly Macdonald and Bill Nighy are poised to join Tilda Swinton in “Okja,” a multilingual monster movie from “Snowpiercer” director Bong Joon-ho, multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.
Details surrounding the project remain vague, but it is said to feature a Korean female lead and a host of English-language supporting actors whose scenes will be set in New York. Lewis Pictures is producing “Okja,” which is expected to start production early next year.
Swinton has already confirmed her involvement in the project while the other actors are in various stages of discussions, and though official offers have not gone out yet, they’re expected to shortly. Representatives for Gyllenhaal and Dano did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Director Bong recruited a top-notch English-language cast for his hit film “Snowpiercer” including Swinton, Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Ed Harris, Alison Pill and John Hurt. “Snowpiercer” grossed $82 million overseas and countless more millions on VOD domestically. The South Korean filmmaker’s previous movies include the serial killer procedural “Memories of Murder,” the crime drama “Mother” and the critically acclaimed monster movie “The Host.”
Gyllenhaal is coming off an impressive run that includes “Nightcrawler,” “Prisoners,” “Southpaw” and the upcoming Fox Searchlight release “Demolition,” which opened the Toronto International Film Festival. He can currently be seen in “Everest” and will soon begin filming Tom Ford‘s “Nocturnal Animals.” He’s also attached to star in “The Current War,” the Boston Marathon bombing movie “Stronger” and Antoine Fuqua‘s drug drama “The Man Who Made It Snow.” He’s represented by WME, which also reps director Bong.
Dano, who received a special thanks credit on “Snowpiercer,” will soon be seen in Paolo Sorrentino’s “Youth” and the miniseries “War & Peace.” He recently delivered an awards-worthy performance as a young Brian Wilson in “Love & Mercy.” He’s represented by WME and Anonymous Content.
