During Warner Bros.' CinemaCon presentation earlier this week in Las Vegas, they brought director Bong Joon-ho and Robert Pattinson to premiere new footage for Mickey 17, which was just moved to January 2025.
It seems WB won't be releasing the trailer online any time soon but we've gleaned social media and the various online recaps for a summary of the new details that emerged.
Perhaps must surprising, is that according to those in attendance, the film has a clear, comedic slant to the narrative.
The movie is based on the critically acclaimed novel Mickey 7, written by Edward Ashton. Bong Joon-ho explained at CinemaCOn that the title of the film was changed to Mickey 17 because he kills the titular character ten more times.
Although Pattinson portrays a number of clones in the movie, Mickey 17 and Mickey 18 are the two primary variants. Despite having the same genetic makeup, the two clones have distinct personalities.
With Mickey 18, Pattinson said the character is like "playing an evil brother" who is "out of control," while Mickey 17, he claims, is battered down by life but is delighted to be a part of a team.
Mickey 17 was originally slated to hit theaters back in March but it was removed from Warner Bros. film slate and moved to an. 31, 2025, reportedly due to the fact that t Bong Joon-ho needs additional time to complete the film's VFX.
However, film pundits are somewhat alarmed by the new release date as January is traditionally viewed as a dumping ground for films that studios don't expect to be successful.
In many parts of North America during this time of year, it's extremely cold and gets dark very early, leading many people to venture out only for necessities as opposed to entertainment.
In addition to Robert Pattinson and Steven Yeun, the film also stars Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.
Previously, Pattinson teased that filming was, "like nothing I’ve ever done before. The movie is so crazy, it’s a completely different style of working. It’s so much talking."
MICKEY 7 (novel) Official Synopsis:
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.