Bong Joon-ho Returns with 'Mickey 17' After Five Years

The highly anticipated return of acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho (56) is here as he reconnects with domestic audiences through his new film 'Mickey 17'. Set to premiere in South Korea on February 28, 2025, 'Mickey 17' is based on Edward Ashton's novel 'Mickey 7'. The story follows Mickey, a disposable worker sent on dangerous missions, who faces his 17th death, only to have an 18th version of himself printed, leading to unexpected events.

This film marks Bong's comeback after his Oscar-winning success with 'Parasite' (2019), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and four Academy Awards. In a recent interview, Bong shared, "It took five years for this film to be released, but I only took a break for about 6-7 weeks right after the Oscar race ended in February 2020. I have been consistently working since then. I received the original novel in the summer of 2020 and became captivated, reading it chapter by chapter. I wrote the screenplay in 2021 and met Robert Pattinson for the first time that November. Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and we began filming in the fall of 2022, taking a bit longer for post-production throughout 2023."

Bong explained the delay in the film's release, stating, "If it had been released last year, it would have been perfectly timed. However, due to the actors' union strike and adjustments in distribution schedules, not just this film but all films were delayed by about 6-7 months. The strike was so significant that we couldn't film, do voiceovers, or promote the movie. That's why it is being released this year. 'Parasite' had a delayed release in Japan and the UK, with its final release date being February 2020. So, while it has been five years, calling this a six-year comeback would be disappointing. It feels like I haven't been working at all (laughs). I didn't take a vacation, and I've also been preparing an animated film alongside 'Mickey 17'."

Before its release, 'Mickey 17' was showcased at the London premiere and the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, receiving enthusiastic responses from local audiences. Following a screening, speculation arose that the character Kenneth Marshall, played by Mark Ruffalo, was a parody of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Bong clarified, "I explained my timeline for a reason. As I mentioned, I completed the screenplay in September 2021 and started filming in the fall of 2022." At the Berlin International Film Festival, he noted, "Some journalists asked if I had a crystal ball hidden in my room. It seems they thought I was predicting political and social issues. Given the festival's sensitivity to such topics, the questions were quite interesting. I received many inquiries about specific politicians, and while I did draw from real-life figures, the character of Kenneth Marshall's wife, Ilpa Marshall, is not in the original novel. I thought a couple of dictators would be scarier and more cinematic."

He also referenced real-life figures, saying, "While I can't mention specific countries, there are the Marcos couple and the Ceaușescu couple from Romania, who were notorious in the late 1980s. Mark Ruffalo and I discussed historical politicians, and we aimed to blend the horrific with the absurd in portraying bad politicians. It seems audiences projected their local situations onto the film, which I can't control."

Mark Ruffalo takes on his first villain role in 'Mickey 17'. Bong recounted, "He was surprised when he heard about the casting. He asked, 'Why me? Do I have this side?' I explained, 'You're an actor; we want you to portray this character.' He quickly accepted, saying, 'You're right; I'm a professional.' This situation was quite endearing. Kenneth Marshall is not just a cold, charismatic character; he has many flaws."

Robert Pattinson, known for his good looks, portrays a character with a mix of madness and vulnerability. Bong remarked, "I feel like people see me as a pretty boy destroyer, which I don't want (laughs). During 'Mother', I tried not to make Won Bin look too handsome, which was quite a challenge. My cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo and I ended up admiring how good-looking he was. I first saw Robert Pattinson in 'Twilight' and thought, 'How can someone be so pale?' His striking appearance is just the surface. He has a strong desire to act and has appeared in many American indie films. In 'The Lighthouse', he unleashed incredible energy. After watching that film, I felt he could also handle the role of Mickey 18. He expressed a wide range of emotions, making it seem like he played multiple roles rather than just one. It must have been difficult, but he did an excellent job."

When asked if he felt pressure due to the expectations following 'Parasite', Bong replied, "Honestly, I haven't felt that way. I was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival's competition section, which was fortunate, but I don't have any more expectations for awards. I would rather participate in the non-competitive section and enjoy screening the film. I remember Quentin Tarantino winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes for 'Pulp Fiction' and the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. He was born in 1963 and had all that happen at 31. It was a chaotic time. In contrast, I was already in my 50s during 'Parasite'. While it was exciting and an honor, I developed a dual perspective, being able to observe from a distance."

The film industry has faced the loss of cherished colleagues in recent years. Bong expressed his regrets about the late Lee Seon-kyun during a recent appearance on MBC's 'Questions from Son Seok-hee'. He also spoke cautiously about Kim Sae-ron, who passed away unexpectedly after Lee, saying, "I saw her at the 'Traveler' screening, and it was very unfortunate."

Finally, Bong shared a message for the public who love popular culture: "Everyone makes mistakes. While it's right to be strict about wrongdoings, I hope we can also have a degree of tolerance. I wish for a balance between strictness and leniency."