‘Snowpiercer’ TV series reboots Bong Joon-ho movie

A reboot of the film’s continuity, the “Snowpiercer” TV series starring Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs is airing in the US on TNT on May 17 and worldwide on Netflix on May 25.

This reboot is based on the 2013 South Korean-Czech movie directed by acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, which was his English-language debut. The TV series is also based on the 1982 French graphic novel Le Transperceneige that Bong adapted in his movie.

Tough act to follow

Set in 2021, this post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller starts seven years after the world became a frozen wasteland. A gigantic train called Snowpiercer circles the globe, carrying the surviving humans. Even after the apocalypse, however, this train perpetuates social inequality, with the first-class passengers enjoying a decadent lifestyle while the lower-class passengers struggle.

The 2013 film starred Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho (of “Parasite”), and Tilda Swinton. It was actually the first Bong movie I saw, and I was just blown away by it.

So as someone who really loved the original movie, I have to admit I was skeptical about this “Snowpiercer” TV series. Not to mention that it was stuck in development hell for years.

Still, Bong is the executive producer of this TV series. Plus it brings together two fine actors in the Academy Award-winning Connelly and Tony Award-winning Diggs. (I’m Hamiltrash, by the way.) Diggs plays a quiet thinker named Layton Well. Meanwhile, Connelly is first-class passenger Melanie Cavill, who is the Voice of the Train.

The “Snowpiercer” TV series will expand upon the world introduced in the 2013 film. In fact, it has already been renewed for a second season, so I guess the producers are really bullish about this project.

I’m just hoping they won’t tone down the material too much for the “Snowpiercer” TV series. Bong’s film was a compelling examination of class struggle and politics. With Bong’s signature subversive wit, of course.

The trailer looks pretty good, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Are you looking forward to watching the “Snowpiercer” TV series?