Bong Joon-ho Describes 'Mickey 17' as a 'Humanistic Sci-Fi with a Stinky Twist'

On January 20, a press conference for Bong Joon-ho's latest sci-fi film 'Mickey 17' was held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul. The event featured director Bong and lead actor Robert Pattinson, who plays the expendable character Mickey, known for taking on dangerous tasks.

Bong Joon-ho shared insights about the film, stating, "The protagonist is a pitiful character with a job that involves dying repeatedly. It's truly an extreme profession. Unlike the replicants we've seen in sci-fi before, this story revolves around the concept of printing humans. While it involves inhumane actions, it doesn't carry a political message. I believe it can be enjoyed as a coming-of-age story for Mickey. In the original work, Mickey dies seven times, but in our film, we added ten more deaths, resulting in the creation of the 17th Mickey. I wanted to express the feeling of a laborer through this change.

We aimed to create a more relatable future, as opposed to traditional sci-fi like the 'Dune' series. We refer to it as 'stinky sci-fi' because it reflects a future we are likely to experience soon. About half of my filmography has been in sci-fi or similar genres. I think there's a charm in using sci-fi to satirize human society and politics, whether seriously or humorously. Mark Ruffalo, who has never played a villain before, portrays a new type of dictator, showcasing a dangerous cuteness. I was surprised when I first received the script, as I usually play righteous roles, but I ended up enjoying the experience."

'Mickey 17' is based on Edward Ashton’s novel 'Mickey 7' and follows the story of Mickey, an expendable worker who is printed again after dying. The film features a star-studded cast including Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, with Bong Joon-ho at the helm. It is set to premiere in South Korea on February 28, followed by a North American release on March 7.