Director Bong Joon-ho Unveils 'Mickey 17' at Press Conference

On February 20, a press conference for the highly anticipated film 'Mickey 17' was held at the Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. The event featured renowned director Bong Joon-ho alongside producers and cast members including Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, and Mark Ruffalo. Based on Edward Ashton's novel 'Mickey 7', the film follows Mickey, an expendable worker who faces death repeatedly and is printed anew each time. The story unfolds as Mickey encounters a crisis when a new version, Mickey 18, is created while he is presumed dead.

'Mickey 17' marks Bong's return after his acclaimed film 'Parasite' (2019), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and an Academy Award. The film has generated significant buzz since its casting phase, featuring a star-studded Hollywood lineup including Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette.

During the press conference, Bong shared insights about the casting process, humorously noting his unique perspective on actors. He expressed excitement about casting Mark Ruffalo in a villainous role, stating, "I was fascinated that Mark had never played a villain before, and I was thrilled to be the first to give him that opportunity. Dictators possess a strange charm that can captivate the masses, and I believed Mark could embody that well."

Bong also praised Naomi Ackie for her performance in a biopic about Whitney Houston, highlighting her charisma and energy. He expressed pride in recognizing her talent early on. Regarding Steven Yeun, who he collaborated with on 'Okja', Bong noted that he aimed to create a science fiction film that felt raw and human, which he achieved with Yeun's character.

Naomi Ackie, making her first visit to Korea, expressed her long-standing desire to visit the country and her joy in working with Bong. She described her character, Nasha, as a complex and genuine role that allowed her to explore authenticity in her performance.

Steven Yeun, who plays Timo, reflected on the character's dark complexities and his satisfaction in fulfilling Bong's vision, while also expressing gratitude for the director's support.

Mark Ruffalo, returning to Korea for the first time in ten years, shared his excitement about the warm reception he received during his previous visit, joking about Robert Downey Jr.'s jealousy. He discussed his role as Kenneth Marshall, the dictator of the ice planet expedition, and his apprehension about taking on a villainous character for the first time.

Bong concluded the event by expressing his hope that audiences would find empathy and comfort in the film, emphasizing Mickey's resilience in the face of adversity. 'Mickey 17' is set to premiere in South Korea on February 28, with a North American release scheduled for March 7.