Five years after Parasite took the world by storm, acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho is back with a new project. Mickey 17, set to hit theaters early next year, is a blend of sci-fi intrigue, dark comedy, and multiple Robert Pattinsons. Based on Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel Mickey7, this adaptation looks to push the boundaries of identity and existence in true Bong Joon-ho style.
The film follows Mickey Barnes (played by Robert Pattinson), a space colonist who signs up for what might be the worst job in the universe. As an “expendable,” Mickey is sent on dangerous missions to colonize the ice world of Niflheim.
The catch is that every time he dies, his consciousness is uploaded to a new body, ready for the next fatal task. It’s a cycle of death and rebirth that Ashton, the novel’s author, describes as “crappy immortality.”
However, Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 both survive a mission, violating the “one Mickey at a time” policy. Suddenly, our hero(es) must fight for their right to exist, all while maneuvering the perils of an unforgiving ice planet and hostile alien life forms.
In true Robert Pattinson fashion, the actor appears to be bringing another unique voice to his character. Early reactions to the trailer are that Pattinson is trying to pull off a Steve Buscemi impression, but it comes out more like a Bart Simpson.
It’s exactly the kind of quirky choice we’ve come to expect and love from Pattinson, elevating what could have been a straightforward sci-fi role into something memorably offbeat.
Joining Pattinson on this bizarre space adventure is an impressive ensemble cast. Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, and Naomi Ackie round out the main actors, with Ruffalo reportedly taking on a villainous role. And in a delightful bit of absurdist flair that Bong Joon-ho fans will appreciate, keep an eye out for a character in a giant pigeon costume.
While Mickey 17 is based on Ashton’s novel, the author has hinted that Bong’s adaptation will “change a lot of the book.” Given the director’s track record of taking source material and transforming it into something uniquely his own (as seen with Snowpiercer), fans should expect the unexpected.
The film will explore themes of identity, consciousness, and the ethics of disposable labor, all wrapped in Bong’s signature style of humor and social commentary.
Oscar-nominated cinematographer Darius Khondji (who previously worked with Bong on Okja) will bring the ice world of Niflheim to life, working alongside visual effects supervisor Dan Glass, who’s known for his work on The Matrix.
Mickey 17 will fly into theaters on January 31, 2025.
