There are many book-to-screen adaptations, and the next one to look forward to is The Sympathizer, based on the 2015 Pulitzer-prize winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Warner Bros. released the first teaser for the HBO original limited series as part of a string of announcements that came Wednesday at the Warner Bros. Discovery press event.
The series was initially announced in July 2021. It is described as follows:
“[The Sympathizer is] an espionage thriller and cross-culture satire about the struggles of a half-French, half-Vietnamese communist spy during the final days of the Vietnam War and his resulting exile in the United States.”
– Warner Bros. Discovery
It is set to release in 2024 as part of the new slate of content landing on Warner Bros. rebranded Max platform. The Sympathizer is directed by Park Chan-wook (Decision to Leave) and co-produced by HBO, A24, and Rhombus Media.
Who should we expect to see in The Sympathizer series?
The teaser gives us our first look at Hoa Xuande (Cowboy Bebop), starring in the series as the titular spy. We also see glimpses of Robert Downey Jr., who is executive producing and appearing in the series. He plays multiple roles, reportedly including an Orange County congressman, a CIA officer, and a movie director.
Along with Xuande and Downey Jr., Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Lee, Ky Duyen, and Sandra Oh have been cast in the show.
First look at HBO’sThe Sympathizer
We get a glimpse of Hoa Xuande’s character, The Captain, under interrogation for being a communist spy. At one point, he says: “I could be Viet Cong for all you know. A spy. How could you know?” teasing an ominous plot that raises many questions. We also get a tease of Robert Downey Jr.’s multiple roles, showing him in various different outfits and hairstyles.
HBO is no stranger to successful original shows, and A24 is currently shining with their success on Everything Everywhere All At Once and Ti West’s X movies. With HBO and A24 co-producing, an all-star cast, and an interesting premise, the series is sure to be a smash hit.
The Sympathizer will hit Max in 2024. Be sure to follow the Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest news on The Sympathizer!
