According to Deadline, director Bong Joon Ho looks to have found his next film under Warner Bros. after nearly two years since his Oscar-winning Parasite.
Bong is in talks to write and direct an untitled film based on Edward Ashton’s upcoming novel Mickey7. The upcoming Caped Crusader and The Batman star Robert Pattinson is in talks to lead the pic as well.
The book will be published in the first quarter of 2022 by Macmillan imprint St. Martin. Given Bong’s past experiences with adaptations, his film version may be inspired by the novel but could also have a different take from the novel. The story follows Mickey7, an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. The crew turns to Mickey whenever a mission that is too dangerous comes up. After one version dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After Mickey7’s previous iteration dies a sixth time, he understands the terms of his deal and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.
Bong took his time figuring out his next project following Parasite’s sweep of the Oscars, including a Best Director and Best Picture victory. Toward the end of 2021, per Deadline, he was presented Ashton’s manuscript for his unpublished book and was immediately hooked. Prior to the holiday break, Bong met with some of Hollywood’s most promising stars, ever A-lister in their 30s chasing the role. Bong and the executives in the project were impressed with Pattinson and felt he was perfect for the role.
The Warner Bros’ feature marks Bong’s second deal with WarnerMedia in recent months following an HBO limited series based on Parasite in the works, executive produced by Bong and Adam McKay.
This will be Pattinson’s first film that he signed onto since finishing production on The Batman. Warner Bros. seems enthusiastic to stay in business with the actor by recently signing him to a first-look deal. The Batman releases on March 4.