History Trivia / Snowpiercer

* UnCancelled: After the reportedly completed fourth and final season was axed by TNT, the show was picked up amd saved by AMC.

* ChannelHop: The series did it twice before it even premiered. It was originally announced as a Creator/{{TNT}} original before a move to Creator/{{TBS}} was announced, albeit to much confusion because the show's dark nature clashes with TBS content's lighter tone. This was followed by a move back to TNT.

* TroubledProduction: The series was ordered to pilot in 2017, but CreativeDifferences between the showrunners and the network executives led to the original pilot script being thrown out and caused production to be delayed for several years. The release of the series was further delayed, to the point that TNT ordered a second series before the first one even premiered in order to avoid losing the actors. And then filming on Season 2 got shut down by the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic. All of this came on top of the sheer logistical challenge of filming action sequences and crowd scenes on sets crammed into spaces the size of train cars.

* AscendedFanon: In a way, the movie can be interpreted as an ElsewhereFic to the comics, which present the possibility of there being ''multiple'' Snowpiercers instead of just the two. ''Terminus'' officially confirms that the movie takes place on a ''third'' Snowpiercer, and that there were as many as ''ten'' roaming the earth at some point.

* {{Defictionalization}}: The show uses Evelyne Brochu's "Copie Carbone" as one of Miss Audrey's records that Wilford plays on repeat. Lena Hall went on and recorded an actual CoverVersion of the song for her ''Snowpiercer''-inspired album 1001.

* {{Defictionalization}}: The show uses Evelyne Brochu's "Copie Carbone" as one of Miss Audrey's records that Wilford plays on repeat. Lena Hall went on and recorded an actual CoverVersion of the song for her Snowpiercer-inspired album 1001.

* TheCastShowoff: That really is Sam Otto playing that stunning version of "Winter Song" in episode 9.

* AbilityOverAppearance: Creator/BongJoonHo had reservations about casting Creator/ChrisEvans as Curtis Everett, because of his muscular physique. He felt that as a resident of the extremely poverty-stricken tail section, Curtis should not be especially physically fit. Costuming and careful camera angles kept Evans' physique from showing.

** Creator/BongJoonHo came across the original comic in his local comic book store and found himself so engrossed in the story that he read the entire series right then and there. Upon finishing the comic he was hell-bent on making a cinematic adaptation.
** Many of the cast also signed on, despite the project being a relatively low-budget foreign film, because they were intrigued by the story and because Bong gave them significant leeway on interpreting their characters.

** The film saw a very limited domestic release in Europe, reaching only a handful of countries like France and Norway. If you have any problems understanding English (notably spoken in a wide range of American, British, and European accents) and/or can't speak Korean, enjoy deciphering the ''one'' subtitle track (which depends on which country the print is for) and missing Namgoong's ending monologue, or prepare to pay an inflated price to ship an American copy.
** The US nearly got this thanks to Creator/TheWeinsteinCompany's ExecutiveMeddling, with Harvey Weinstein wanting to cut up to twenty minutes from the film and add an opening and closing narration, and then [[https://web.archive.org/web/20160616025841/https://io9.gizmodo.com/harvey-weinstein-thinks-youre-too-stupid-for-snowpierc-1041514670 trying to justify it with dismissive and insulting remarks]] about the intelligence of moviegoers in FlyoverCountry. Only a disastrous test screening of Weinstein's version caused him to give Creator/BongJoonHo final cut -- and he ''still'' screwed over its theatrical release, cutting it from a wide release to a limited one in just 356 theaters, where it predictably bombed despite having been a SleeperHit in the rest of the world.

** Played Straight with Creator/JamieBell, who was 26 playing 17-year-old Edgar at the time of filming.

** Is often compared to ''Film/{{Elysium}}'' for its dystopian setting and "Haves versus Have-Nots" plot.
** The limited theatrical release in the US unfortunately coincides with ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction''.
* DyeingForYourArt: Creator/ChrisEvans grew a beard for his role as Curtis, and had to use a face mask when he filmed TheStinger after the ending credits of ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}''. Note how he keeps his chin (and thus his beard) in his hands as Captain America [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSWkFH5vupY in the scene]]. However, he didn't have time to lose weight for this film so the costume designers had to spend an unexpectedly large portion of their small budget figuring out ways to hide his muscles since Curtis is supposed to be suffering from years of inadequate nutrition.
* ExecutiveMeddling: Attempted by Creator/TheWeinsteinCompany. They're infamous for acquiring foreign films, cutting them down and promptly "americanizing" them. When they tried to cut up to 20 minutes from the Korean version, they were hit with bad publicity from cinephiles. Along with critical acclaim towards Joon-Ho's cut, this led the Weinsteins to back off.

* FakeNationality: Given by his name and the fact that he says "Chikusho!"[[note]]Which roughly translates to "Shit!"[[/note]] right before Grey kills him, Officer Fuyu is of Japanese descent. His actor, Steve Park, is American of Korean descent.
* IKnewIt: The film essentially has nothing in common with the comics aside from the setting... which, given the openness of the endings, makes it fairly open to potentially being set elsewhere in the universe of the comics. As of ''Snowpiercer 3: Terminus'', the film is confirmed to be {{canon}} to the comics.

* PlayingAgainstType: Creator/ChrisEvans is well known for portraying rather upbeat and jovial characters, such as ComicBook/CaptainAmerica. Here, he plays a very dour and serious man wracked by guilt.

** Creator/ChrisEvans and Creator/AlisonPill previously starred together in ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld''.

* UnderageCasting: Creator/ChrisEvans was 31 playing 34-year-old Curtis when the film was made.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: There are plenty, according to [[https://web.archive.org/web/20200704035520/https://fyeahsnowpiercer.tumblr.com/post/92409041101/snowpiercer-trivia this link]]:
** The only place where the original comic was published outside of France was South Korea. Also, the original authors had previously refused an offer to turn it into a film.

*** The Engine having [[spoiler:more than one-hundred children as the workers]].

** Mason was originally written as a male, with Creator/JohnCReilly being considered for the role until Creator/TildaSwinton got cast. However, Mason is still referred to as a man in the script.

** According to the filmmakers, the Revolt of the Seven's female leader is Namgoong Minsu's wife and Yona's mother.

** According to the filmmakers, Gilliam and Edgar are named after the respective directors, Creator/TerryGilliam and Creator/EdgarWright.

* AllStarCast: The main and supporting cast members include Creator/JenniferConnelly, Creator/DaveedDiggs, Creator/RowanBlanchard, Creator/AnnaliseBasso, Creator/TimothyVMurphy, Creator/MikeOMalley, Creator/AleksPaunovic, and Creator/StevenOgg. The second season adds another big name with Creator/SeanBean.

* ChannelHop: The series did it twice before it even premiered. It was originally announced as a Creator/{{TNT}} original before a move to Creator/{{TBS}} was announced, albeit to much confusion because the show's dark nature clashes with TBS' lighter tone. This was followed by a move back to TNT.

* UsefulNotes/SportsPreemption: The show's much-hyped debut on TNT was delayed by half an hour by a golf game, to the outrage of fans whose [=TiVo=] recordings missed half the showing. Fortunately, it was replayed repeatedly throughout the week to follow, and prior to the second episode's debut a week later.
* TroubledProduction: The series was ordered to pilot in 2017, but CreativeDifferences between the showrunners and the network executives lead to the original pilot script being thrown out and caused production to be delayed for several years. The release of the series was further delayed, to the point that TNT ordered a second series before the first one even premiered in order to avoid losing the actors. And then filming on Season 2 got shut down by the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic. This, on top of the sheer logistical challenge of filming action sequences and crowd scenes on sets crammed into spaces the size of train cars.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Many characters were radically different when originally cast. Ruth and L.J. were originally third class passengers (a manicurist with a husband and son, and a midwestern greenhouse worker respectively), and Josie had a sick husband.

* ProductionPosse: Creator/SongKangHo and Go Ah-sung played father and daughter in Creator/BongJoonHo's previous film, ''Film/TheHost''.

** Creator/BongJoonHo came across the original comic in his local comic book store and found himself so engrossed in the story that he read the entire series right then and there. Upon finishing comic he was hell-bent on making a cinematic adaptation.

* AllStarCast: The main and supporting cast members include Creator/JenniferConnelly, Creator/DaveedDiggs, Creator/RowanBlanchard, Creator/AnnaliseBasso, Creator/TimothyVMurphy, Creator/MikeOMalley, Creator/AleksPaunovic, and Creator/StevenOgg.

* TroubledProduction: The series was ordered to pilot in 2017, but CreativeDifferences between the showrunners and the network executives lead to the original pilot script being thrown out and caused production to be delayed for several years. The release of the series was further delayed, to the point that TNT ordered a second series before the first one even premiered in order to avoid losing the actors. And then filming on Season 2 got shut down by the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic.

[[folder:The TV Series]]

[[folder:The Movie]]

** According to director Creator/BongJoonHo, Wilford is bisexual, and his lovers include [[DarkMistress the women Claude, Mason, and the pregnant teacher]], and the man Egghead.

* AbilityOverAppearance: Creator/BongJoonho had reservations about casting Creator/ChrisEvans as Curtis Everett, because of his muscular physique. He felt that as a resident of the extremely poverty-stricken tail section, Curtis should not be especially physically fit. Costuming and careful camera angles kept Evans' physique from showing.

** Creator/BongJoonho came across the original comic in his local comic book store and found himself so engrossed in the story that he read the entire series right then and there. Upon finishing comic he was hell-bent on making a cinematic adaptation.

** The US nearly got this thanks to Creator/TheWeinsteinCompany's ExecutiveMeddling, with Harvey Weinstein wanting to cut up to twenty minutes from the film and add an opening and closing narration, and then [[https://web.archive.org/web/20160616025841/https://io9.gizmodo.com/harvey-weinstein-thinks-youre-too-stupid-for-snowpierc-1041514670 trying to justify it with dismissive and insulting remarks]] about the intelligence of moviegoers in FlyoverCountry. Only a disastrous test screening of Weinstein's version caused him to give Creator/BongJoonho final cut -- and he ''still'' screwed over its theatrical release, cutting it from a wide release to a limited one in just 356 theaters, where it predictably bombed despite having been a SleeperHit in the rest of the world.

* ProductionPosse: Creator/SongKangHo and Go Ah-sung played father and daughter in Creator/BongJoonho's previous film, ''Film/TheHost''.

** The ending was originally planned to have a narration by [[spoiler:Tanya's son Timmy]], which was cut because Creator/BongJoonho wanted the ending to be more open.
** Creator/DustinHoffman was considered for the role of Wilford, before Creator/ParkChanWook suggested Creator/EdHarris to Creator/BongJoonho.
** Creator/MichaelFassbender, Creator/JakeGyllenhaal, and Creator/TomHiddleston were considered for the role of Curtis Everett. Gyllenhaal would later appear in Creator/BongJoonho's next film, ''Film/{{Okja}}''.

* WordOfGod: According to the filmmakers, the Revolt of the Seven's female leader is Namgoong Minsu's wife and Yona's mother.

* AllStarCast: The main and supporting cast members include Creator/ChrisEvans, Creator/TildaSwinton, Creator/JamieBell, Creator/OctaviaSpencer, Creator/JohnHurt, Creator/EdHarris, Creator/LukePasqualino, and Creator/AlisonPill.
* AscendedFanon: In a way, the movie can be interpreted as an ElsewhereFic to the comics, which present the possibility of there being ''multiple'' snowpiercers instead of just the two. ''Terminus'' officially confirms that the movie takes place on a ''third'' Snowpiercer, and that there were as many as ''ten'' roaming the earth at some point.

* ProductionPosse: Song Kang-ho and Go Ah-sung played father and daughter in Creator/BongJoonho's previous film ''Film/TheHost''.

* TroubledProduction: The series was ordered to pilot in 2017, but CreativeDifferences between the showrunners and the network executives lead to the original pilot script being thrown out and caused production to be delayed for several years. The release of the series was further delayed, to the point that TNT ordered a second series before the first one even premiered in order to avoid losing the actors. And then filming on season 2 got shut down by the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic.

* AbilityOverAppearance: Creator/BongJoonho had reservations about casting Chris Evans in the lead role, because of his muscular physique. He felt that as a resident of the extremely poverty-stricken tail section, Curtis should not be especially physically fit. Costuming and careful camera angles kept Evans' physique from showing.
* ActingForTwo: Aside from playing Mason, Creator/TildaSwinton also makes a cameo appearance as a partygoer in the [[http://fyeahsnowpiercer.tumblr.com/post/90771638353/hellotailor-omg-tilda-swinton-had-an-extra front section]].
* AllStarCast: Creator/ChrisEvans, Creator/TildaSwinton, Creator/JamieBell, Creator/OctaviaSpencer, Creator/JohnHurt, Creator/EdHarris, Creator/LukePasqualino, and Creator/AlisonPill.

** Bong Joon-ho came across the original comic in his local comic book store and found himself so engrossed in the story that he read the entire series right then and there. Upon finishing comic he was hell-bent on making a cinematic adaptation.

** The US nearly got this thanks to Creator/TheWeinsteinCompany's ExecutiveMeddling, with Harvey Weinstein wanting to cut up to twenty minutes from the film and add an opening and closing narration, and then trying to justify it with [[https://io9.gizmodo.com/harvey-weinstein-thinks-youre-too-stupid-for-snowpierc-1041514670 dismissive and insulting remarks]] about the intelligence of moviegoers in FlyoverCountry. Only a disastrous test screening of Weinstein's version caused him to give Bong Joon-ho final cut -- and he still screwed over its theatrical release, cutting it from a wide release to a limited one in just 356 theaters, where it predictably bombed despite having been a SleeperHit in the rest of the world.

* {{Defictionalization}}: According to nuclear scientists, it is actually [[http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140521000903 possible]] to create the Snowpiercer train in real-life using nuclear fusion.

* DyeingForYourArt: Creator/ChrisEvans grew a beard for his role as Curtis, and had to use a face mask when he filmed the end-of-credits stinger in ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}''. Note how he keeps his chin (and thus his beard) in his hands as Captain America [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSWkFH5vupY in the scene]]. However, he didn't have time to lose weight for this film so the costume designers had to spend an unexpectedly large portion of their small budget figuring out ways to hide his muscles since Curtis is supposed to be suffering from years of inadequate nutrition.

* IKnewIt: The film essentially has nothing in common with the comics aside from the setting... which, given the openness of the endings, makes it fairly open to potentially being set elsewhere in the universe of the comics. As of ''Snowpiercer 3: Terminus'', the film is confirmed Canon to the comics.
* OneBookAuthor: Emma Levie, who plays Claude, comes very close. She'd starred in one film in the Netherlands, the dark drama ''Lena'', before this. ''Snowpiercer'' was her last film to date. Her primary career is painter.
* PlayingAgainstType: Creator/ChrisEvans is well known for portraying rather upbeat and jovial characters, such as ComicBook/CaptainAmerica. Here he plays a very dour and serious man wracked by guilt.
* ProductionPosse: Song Kang-ho and Go Ah-sung played father and daughter in Bong Joon-ho's previous film ''Film/TheHost''.
* ThoseTwoActors: Creator/JohnHurt and Creator/TildaSwinton appeared in this film the same year that they starred together in ''Film/OnlyLoversLeftAlive''.
** Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer would later appear together in ''{{Film/Gifted}}''.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: There are plenty, according to [[http://fyeahsnowpiercer.tumblr.com/post/92409041101/snowpiercer-trivia this link]]:

** The ending was originally planned to have a narration by [[spoiler:Tanya's son Timmy]], which was cut because Bong Joon-ho wanted the ending to be more open.
** Creator/DustinHoffman was considered for the role of Wilford, before Creator/ParkChanWook suggested Creator/EdHarris to Bong Joon-ho.
** Creator/MichaelFassbender, Creator/JakeGyllenhaal and Creator/TomHiddleston was considered for the role of Curtis. Gyllenhaal later appeared in Bong Joon-ho's next film, ''Film/{{Okja}}''.

** Mason was originally written as a male, with Creator/JohnCReilly being considered for the role until Creator/TildaSwinton got cast. However, Mason is still being referred as a man in the script.
* WordOfGod: According to the filmmakers, the Revolt of the Seven's female leader is Namkoong Minsu's wife and Yona's mother.

* ChannelHop: The series did it twice before it even premiered. It was originally announced as a Creator/{{TNT}} original before a move to Creator/{{TBS}} was announced[[note]]to much confusion because the show's dark nature clashes with TBS' lighter tone[[/note]]. This was followed by a move back to TNT.
* DevelopmentHell: The series spent three years in development Hell because of creative difference between the original showrunners and the network executives.
* UsefulNotes/SportsPreemption: The show's much-hyped debut on TNT was delayed by half an hour by a golf game, to the outrage of fans whose Tivo recordings missed half the showing. Fortunately, it was replayed repeatedly throughout the week to follow, and prior to the second episode's debut a week later.
* TroubledProduction: The series was ordered to pilot in 2017, but creative differences between the showrunners and the network executives lead to the original pilot script being thrown out and caused production to be delayed for several years. The release of the series was further delayed, to the point that TNT ordered a second series before the first one even premiered in order to avoid losing the actors. And then filming on season 2 got shut down by the Covid-19 pandemic.