Robert Pattinson stars in Bong Joon Ho’s new movie “Mickey 17.” The film is set in the future. Pattinson plays Mickey Barnes, who signs up to be an “expendable” crew member on a space mission. As an expendable, Mickey can die and be reborn as needed.
In a twist, two versions of Mickey end up existing at the same time. They must work together to save the day. Mark Ruffalo plays the villain, Kevin Marshall.
He is a tyrannical politician who threatens the human race. Toni Collette plays his wife, who is also on board for selfish reasons. Ruffalo enjoyed playing the “ridiculous, insane villain.” He said the character is based on real-world dictators.
pattinson’s dual roles in Mickey 17
“They all end the same way,” he noted. “The people always win.
It just takes some time and suffering.”
Collette agreed that viewers will see connections between the movie’s characters and real people. She said political parallels were clear during filming three years ago, but “things have escalated, so I think it’s probably even more apt now.”
“Mickey 17” is Bong’s first movie since his 2019 hit “Parasite.” It shares a zaniness with “Parasite,” mixing dark humor with social commentary. The sci-fi setting and cloning subplot create a satire of politics and society.
Bong said he pictured Pattinson as the lead from the start. Pattinson joked that acting opposite himself was “kind of fun” and he liked it better “than working with other actors.”
When asked about the movie’s political themes, Bong was vague. “This is just a sci-fi movie,” he said.
“Enjoy the fantasy.”
“Mickey 17” opens in theaters in South Korea on February 28 and worldwide on March 7. It is being released by Warner Bros. Pictures.