Trailer of ‘Mickey 17’ Shows Robert Pattinson as a Sacrificial Clone Ready to Die at Any Moment
After a 10-month delay, the first trailer for director Bong Joon-Ho’s new sci-fi comedy, Mickey 17, has finally been released. This marks Bong’s first film in six years and his first venture into space storytelling. The film follows Mickey Barnes (played by Robert Pattinson), who opts for a job beyond Earth as a sacrificial clone, continually dying to complete the crew’s most dangerous missions. The trailer reveals conflicts arising when Mickey discovers a living version of himself, leading to bureaucratic chaos.
Though Bong has been a beloved filmmaker for nearly 20 years, his first internationally acclaimed feature was the 2019 film Parasite, which won three Academy Awards in 2020, propelling him into the global spotlight. Following this massive success, Bong chose to adapt Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, featuring Pattinson.
In his first role since The Batman in 2022, Pattinson takes on a quirky new character. If he nails it, Mickey Barnes’ unusual, unclear voice and humble demeanor will stand out as another unique addition to Pattinson’s diverse portfolio. He is joined by an impressive cast that includes Noami Ackie, a star from Blink Twice, Steven Yeun, a frequent collaborator with Bong, and fan favorites Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo.
Before the announcement of the initial delay, a 30-second teaser for Mickey 17 was released in late 2022, featuring a single shot of Pattinson’s character in his cloning device, lacking much context. The minimalistic environment and orchestral music in that teaser set a much darker tone compared to the recently released, more optimistic trailer, raising questions about whether the film underwent significant changes.
Some sources speculate that the delay was due to the writers’ strike, though no official reason has been provided. The film is currently scheduled for release in January, a time when studios often release projects with lower expectations. Is this mere coincidence, or could it signal something deeper?
In a 2022 interview, Ashton commented on concerns about Bong’s adaptation, stating, “The answer is no, I’m not worried at all. To me, he’s a genius. I don’t believe he’s ever made a bad film.” Warner Bros. seems to reflect that confidence, entrusting him with a $150 million budget for their first collaboration on Mickey 17.
Bong’s previous works, such as Parasite and Snowpiercer, explore themes of conflict within social class dynamics, while his film Okja focuses on corporate ethics and animal rights. Bong enjoys creating films with messages but isn’t shy about incorporating humor. His style is described as “dark humor,” providing an additional relief from the seriousness of his films. Audiences can expect these themes and humor to merge within his consistently creative visual experience.
Bong’s extraterrestrial adventure is set to hit theaters on January 31, 2025.
