If it feels like Bong Joon-ho and his upcoming movie, Mickey 17, have been on your radar forever, you’re definitely not imagining things. This film has faced numerous delays for all sorts of reasons, but with the release of its second trailer, it seems pretty set to debut on March 7—fingers crossed it doesn’t change again at this point.
Originally, the big idea was to position the film adaptation of Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel, Mickey7, as a major awards contender for the 2024 season. Warner Bros. Pictures, however, has now opted to aim for a splashy start to the pre-summer lineup of 2025. This strategy might ramp up its box office potential, though it could potentially dilute its standing among critics as the year drags on. I mean, just look at Dune: Part Two—massively praised in 2024, yet its Oscar prospects seem a bit shaky since it premiered in March, missing the later-year attention. Still, Mickey 17 may surprise everyone and knock it out of the park, given how promising the previews look.
Mickey 17 dives into the world of sci-fi with a hearty serving of dark comedy. Robert Pattinson leads the charge as Mickey Barnes, an expendable worker tasked with perilous missions to aid in the colonization of the icy planet Niflheim. The twist? When one Mickey meets his end, another duplicate, complete with most of his memories, takes his place. Expect the satire levels to be off the charts, but don’t miss out on the fun either. The lineup of stars also includes the likes of Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, just to name a few.
You can catch a peek at the new trailer below:
Discover it on YouTube
Given Pattinson’s track record, it’s hardly surprising to anticipate another outstanding performance. He’s embracing a more humorous side this time, so how he distinguishes each Mickey, especially when they’re interacting, will be something to watch. Also featuring prominently in this trailer is Ruffalo’s antagonist, who seems to have more screen time as he takes on a rough-around-the-edges rebellion, promising action that might be as bloody as it is amusing. It’s apparent that Bong Joon-ho, who also penned the adapted screenplay, hasn’t lost his touch for intense drama, especially after accolades like the Best Picture-winning Parasite and Okja.
Mickey 17 stands out as Warner Bros. Pictures’ first auteur-led release of the year, preceding Barry Levinson’s mafia epic, The Altos Knights, which drops on March 21, followed by Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller, Sinners, on April 18.
