If you’ve felt a bit like Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming film, "Mickey 17," has been a topic of conversation for what seems like ages, you’d be absolutely right. The project has faced numerous delays for various reasons, but it seems the second trailer has cemented March 7 as a firm release date—one that looks unlikely to change again so close to the deadline.
Originally, the film was poised as a major contender in the awards circuit for 2024, adapted from Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel "Mickey7." Warner Bros. Pictures, however, has decided to push its release as a promising kickoff to the pre-summer movie season of 2025. While this could bolster its performance at the box office, it might also dilute its presence among critics and award voters as time rolls on. Take "Dune: Part Two," for instance; it was among the favorite films of 2024, yet its Oscar prospects now appear slim because it premiered in March rather than later in the year. There’s always the chance that "Mickey 17" might not live up to expectations given its rocky journey, but let’s be honest, those trailers are quite promising.
Diving into the plot, "Mickey 17" is a sci-fi adventure that mixes in some dark humor, starring Pattinson as Mickey Barnes. He’s cast as a replaceable worker dispatched to examine the icy terrain of the planet Niflheim. Whenever a Mickey meets an unfortunate end, a clone is generated, carrying most of his preceding memories. This premise sets the stage for rich satire and what looks like a thrilling ride. The lineup is impressive with Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo all sharing the spotlight.
You can catch a glimpse of the latest trailer below:
Pattinson, unsurprisingly, looks poised to deliver yet another outstanding performance, showcasing his comedic chops this time. It will be fascinating to see how each Mickey incarnation stands apart when they find themselves in shared scenes. Among the ensemble cast, Ruffalo’s villainous character grabs more attention in this trailer compared to the last, hinting at a showdown with a scrappy resistance group that promises to be as brutal as it is entertaining. And true to form, Bong Joon-ho, who has crafted the screenplay adaptation, seems to have retained his flair for impactful storytelling, evidenced by past successes like "Parasite," a Best Picture winner, and "Okja."
"Mickey 17" is set to be Warner Bros. Pictures’ first auteur-centric release of the year, preceding Barry Levinson’s mob drama "The Altos Knights" on March 21, and Ryan Coogler’s vampiric thriller "Sinners" arriving on April 18.
