Production[]
Filmmaker Bong Joon Ho and actor Robert Pattinson in 2025
A film adaptation of Edward Ashton's novel Mickey7 was announced to be in development prior to its publication in January 2022, with Bong Joon Ho writing, directing, and producing for Warner Bros. Pictures and Robert Pattinson in talks to star.[1] Charles Yu wrote additional literary material for the film.[2] Bong was intrigued by the concepts presented in the book, though he made many changes to the characters, including modifying Mickey's personality to be a little more simple minded.[3] He wrote the screenplay in 2021 based on an early draft of the book, and said that none of the characters portrayed were meant to be mirroring active politicians. Robert Pattinson was the first actor to come to mind for a performance that required dual roles, and he agreed immediately to take the role after being offered it.[4] Pattinson improvised many lines as Mickey 18, who starts with an aggressive personality, then grows as a person who wants to protect 17.[5]
Bong storyboarded each sequence before filming.[6] Pattinson helped to revise part of the script to give what Bong described as "humor and knowledge of slang that I would have never come across otherwise." Pattinson also partially based his performance on Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber, citing similar comedic injuries. Bong maintained that he had final cut privilege, though there was a delay in the editing.[7] To differentiate the two main Mickeys, Pattinson changed his accent for each character, comparing them to Ren and Stimpy from the show of the same name. In the initial script reading, he imitated the voices of Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O from Jackass. Bong told him not to do the Steve-O impression.[8]
Pattinson was confirmed to star in May 2022, with Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo joining the cast.[9] In July, Steven Yeun was added to the cast.[10] Tim Key was cast after a phone call, as Bong wanted him specifically for a role.[6] Production began at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden on August 2, 2022,[11] and concluded in December 2022.[12] Filming was finished in January 2023, with the director working on the ideal cut after.[13]
The film's creepers were designed by Bong and Jang Hee-chul, who has been collaborating with Bong to create monsters for his movies since The Host.[14]
References[]
- ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (January 19, 2022). Bong Joon Ho Sets Next Movie at Warner Bros. With Robert Pattinson in Talks to Star. Penske Media Corporation.
- ↑ Mickey 17. Writers Guild of America West.
- ↑ Interview – 'Mickey 17' Director Bong Joon Ho (in en-US) (2025-02-25).
- ↑ Purnell, Kristofer. 'Goofy and incredible': Bong Joon Ho on tapping Robert Pattinson for 'Mickey 17'.
- ↑ [INTERVIEW Bong Joon-ho explores human resilience with new film 'Mickey 17'] (in en) (2025-02-21).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Garcia, Bella (2025-01-26). Mickey 17 Actor Recalls Bong Joon-Ho's Unique Filming Process During Robert Pattinson's Long-Awaited Sci-Fi Movie (in en).
- ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (2024-12-04). Robert Pattinson Says Bong Joon Ho Is an 'Unusual' Director: 'Mickey 17' Felt 'So Impossible' to Make at the Start (in en-US).
- ↑ Robert Pattinson Based His Mickey 17 And 18 Voices On Ren & Stimpy (in en) (2024-10-17).
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (May 20, 2022). Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette And Mark Ruffalo Join Robert Pattinson In Bong Joon Ho's Next Film At Warner Bros.
- ↑ Steven Yeun Latest To Join Robert Pattinson In Bong Joon Ho's Next Film At Warner Bros. (July 7, 2022).
- ↑ UK shoot gets underway on Bong Joon Ho's Mickey7 starring Robert Pattinson (August 2, 2022).
- ↑ 2022 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK: latest updates (November 2, 2022).
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (15 January 2025). Why Warner Bros Shook Up Its Feature Exec Ranks As It Braces For An Auteur-Driven 2025 Slate.
- ↑ Weiner, Jonah. "The ‘Parasite’ Director Brings Class Warfare to Outer Space", The New York Times, 2025-03-04. (in en-US)