Ever since “Parasite” took the cinematic world by storm in 2019, people have wondered how Bong Joon Ho would follow it up. And while “Mickey7,” Bong’s next film, has yet to head into production, it already sounds incredible. Robert Pattinson will star as a disposable employee with six life spans on a human expedition to colonize an ice planet. And the film will also star the likes of Mark Ruffalo, Naomi Ackie, and Toni Collette.
As if those names aren’t exciting enough. Deadline reports that Steven Yeun is also on board for “Mickey7.” The “Minari” star worked with Bong Joon Ho on his 2017 film “Okja,” so the new movie will be a reunion between the actor and director. No word yet on who Yeun plays, but with the movie’s synopsis, he’s likely part of the colonial expedition.
Based on Edward Asthon‘s novel of the same name, published in February this year by St. Martin’s Press, “Mickey7” focuses on Pattinson’s Mickey. Mickey’s an Expendable, an employee for the colonial crew heading to the ice planet Niflheim who takes on missions that are too dangerous for anyone else to take on. Mickey has six lives, so if he dies on a mission, his body regenerates with most of his memories intact. But as he approaches his final life, will he honor the terms of his agreement with the expedition?
Bong’s past adaptations have taken liberties with their source material, so the director’s version may deviate significantly from Ashton’s novel. Still, this sounds like a riveting story that involves themes like mortality and A.I sentience and personhood. And as Bong’s follow-up to “Parasite,” “Mickey7” is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated movies of the next couple of years. “Parasite” became a global phenomenon after it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019. The film went on to shatter box-office records and had a historic night at the 92nd Academy Awards, where it became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture. Bong also took home the Best Director, Original Screenplay, and International Feature Film that night.
As for Yeun, 2022 sees him co-star with Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer in Jordan Peele‘s latest horror outing, “NOPE,” out later this month. After that, he’s in Netflix and A24‘s series “Beef” with Ali Wong.
So, will “Mickey7” be a worthy follow-up to “Parasite” for Bong Joon Ho? With Yeun on board, that’s even more likely. More news about the film is on the way soon.