Robert Pattinson Will Star in PARASITE Director Bong Joon Ho's WB Sci-Fi Thriller Inspired by the Novel MICKEY7
Parasite director Bong Joon Ho has found his next film project, and he’s cast Robert Pattinson to star in it. Joon Ho will write and direct the film for Warner Bros., which will be inspired by Edward Ashton’s upcoming sci-fi novel Mickey7.
The novel has yet to be published, but it’s said the film may end up being different from the novel’s story. That story follows, Mickey7, “an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal—the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.”
That sounds like it’ll be quite an intense thriller, and I have no doubt that Bong Joon Ho will deliver something beautiful yet nightmarish. He’s good with those kinds of stories! As for Pattinson, I don’t care what anyone says, the guy is a freakin’ great actor.
This will be Bong Joon Ho’s first film since Parasite, which won Best Director and Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020. He’s been taking his time finding the right project. Deadline explains how this project came to be:
Towards the end of 2021, he was presented the manuscript for the unpublished book by Ashton, which immediately drew his interest. The Oscar winner became loosely attached to the project late last year and prior to the holiday break met with some of the town’s most promising stars as every A-lister in their 30s was chasing the role. It wasn’t long before Bong and execs were impressed with Pattinson following his meeting and felt he was perfect for the role, with an offer going out right before the new year.
Bong Joon Ho is a hell of a talented filmmaker, so I can’t wait to see what he does with this next project of his.
The story is described as “The Martian meets Dark Matter,” here’s the description of the book, which will be released on February 15, 2022:
Mickey7, an “expendable,” refuses to let his replacement clone Mickey8 take his place.
Dying isn’t any fun…but at least it’s a living.
Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal—the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.
On a fairly routine scouting mission, Mickey7 goes missing and is presumed dead. By the time he returns to the colony base, surprisingly helped back by native life, Mickey7’s fate has been sealed. There’s a new clone, Mickey8, reporting for Expendable duties. The idea of duplicate Expendables is universally loathed, and if caught, they will likely be thrown into the recycler for protein.
Mickey7 must keep his double a secret from the rest of the colony. Meanwhile, life on Niflheim is getting worse. The atmosphere is unsuitable for humans, food is in short supply, and terraforming is going poorly. The native species are growing curious about their new neighbors, and that curiosity has Commander Marshall very afraid. Ultimately, the survival of both lifeforms will come down to Mickey7.
That is, if he can just keep from dying for good.
Source: Deadline