Why We're Excited About Bong Joon-ho's Mickey7 Adaptation
Image Source: MindlifeTV
Acclaimed Korean director Bong Joon-ho has started shooting his latest venture, an adaption of Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most exciting movies in production.
The Cast
Robert Pattinson has reportedly been cast in the lead role, and his acting style will suit the dark dystopian nature of the project. But he is not the only big hitter to have his name attached to the movie. Marvel legend, Mark Ruffalo has also signed up along with Toni Collete (Little Miss Sunshine, Sixth Sense) and Naomi Ackie (Star Wars: Rise of The Skywalker, End of the F**cking World). Bong Joon-ho has also managed to land Steven Yeun, (The Walking Dead, Nope) the first Asian-American actor to be nominated at the Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. The line-up promises to deliver big things, even if it’s just the thrill of seeing The Hulk and Batman in the same film.
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The Filmmaker
Korean cinema increased in popularity after the release of Squid Game in 2021, but Bong Joon-ho has been making ground-breaking movies for the last twenty-five years. The Host, his first international hit was a classic monster movie with a fresh twist (think Jaws versus Godzilla). This was followed up by The Mother, a psychological horror many critics said was the best movie of the year. Parasite was the first Korean film to win Palme d'Or at the Canne Film Festival. More recently he has collaborated with American studios on films such as Snowpiercer and Okja, also released to critical acclaim. This project could mark the breakthrough for Bong Joon-ho to mainstream cinema, and it’s where a filmmaker of his talent should be. Not only is he directing Mickey7, but he is writing the screenplay, and producing. This movie will have his fingerprints all over it.
Image Source: IMBD
The Material
Bong Joon-ho reputedly prefers a script with a social commentary, so it’s not much of a surprise that he has chosen to adapt Mickey7. A story about what it means to be immortal, to be human, a dark cross between Multiplicity and Black Mirror episode Black Museum. The book is set in a failing off-world colony. It’s Mickey’s job to go on suicide missions, die and then be uploaded into a cloned body after his demise…. except Mickey7 doesn’t follow the script and survives. He arrives home to find Mickey8 already in place, living his life and sleeping in his bed (we’re probably going to see more than one version of Pattinson). Apart from the twisting plot, Edward Ashton creates a stark world that will transpose very well to the screen.
The Backing
The movie is being distributed and filmed by Warner Bros. But the production company behind Mickey7 is none other than Plan B Entertainment. They are responsible for Oscar winners such as Moonlight, The Departed and Twelve Years a Slave. Brad Pitt is owner of Plan B Entertainment so Mickey7 is likely to have plenty of industry support.
The Crew
Two-time Oscar-winning duo Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner (Twelve Years a Slave, Moonlight) are producing Mickey7. Iranian-French Cinematographer Darius Khondji is also reportedly linked to the project. He worked on films such as The Beach, and Ninth Gate, and was responsible for Madonna’s iconic Frozen video. Combine Khondji’s talent with Bong Joon-ho’s usual abstract visuals and the ice world of Niflheim and its (native and non-native) inhabitants are going to be a feast for the eyes.
Image Source: NOWNESS
There is no news yet on a release date, and although it’s assumed to have a theatrical release, there’s no definitive word. With Bong Joon Ho’s previous relationship with Netflix, it’s certainly possible it will go straight to streaming. We can’t wait for the trailer to give us more clues about this immense production.
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