Tim Key, known for his role in Mickey 17, recently shared insights into his collaboration with the renowned director Bong Joon-ho during the production of this eagerly awaited sci-fi film. Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the movie features Robert Pattinson in the role of Mickey Barnes, an expendable worker on a frigid alien planet, who faces life-threatening assignments. What sets Barnes apart is his remarkable ability to regenerate after each demise, presenting him with an extraordinary challenge when he encounters one of his apparently deceased iterations. Joining Pattinson in the cast are talented actors including Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo. The film is scheduled to premiere on March 7, 2025.
During a conversation with Tatiana Hullender from Screen Rant at the Sundance Film Festival, Key provided an insightful look into Bong Joon-ho’s unique filmmaking style, particularly for this darkly comedic sci-fi endeavor. Alongside his work in The Ballad of Wallis Island, which he co-wrote and starred in at this year’s festival, Key, despite his smaller role in Mickey 17, found the opportunity to work with an Oscar-winning director immensely thrilling. He expressed this sentiment in the following remarks:
I don’t know anything [either]! I mean, it’s absolutely amazing when you get asked to do something like that.
I remember taking the phone call, because I love Parasite, I was like ‘That is insane.’ I remember having a nice breakfast with Bong and his producer, and he wanted me on it! That’s insane. I mean, it’s not a very big part; it’s a small part.
But it’s a real thrill to work with him, seeing how he works on set. Even seeing your sheets each day; the call sheet with your lines for that day. In his [movie], it comes as a little comic book, where every scene has a little cartoon of what it’s going to be. That’s how he works; he’s got a kind of storyboard, which is also the script, so you can go through that and make it [happen].
Understanding Key’s Insights on Bong Joon-Ho’s Mickey 17
The Creative Process Behind Bong’s Storyboarding
Mickey 17 illustrates Bong Joon-ho’s commitment to exceptional filmmaking, with a strong emphasis on detailed storyboarding. This innovative approach, first prominent in Parasite, enables Bong to meticulously map out every shot and dialogue before filming. His storyboards effectively serve as a visual script, ensuring the cast and crew grasp the film’s intricacies in tone and structure.
Additionally, Bong’s comic book-like storyboarding approach resonates with his talent for adapting complex narratives.Mickey7 marks his second adaptation, following the powerful translation of the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige into the critically acclaimed film Snowpiercer. Both films tackle profound existential themes and societal issues through a lens of dark humor and imaginative world-building, showcasing Bong’s ability to intertwine depth with entertainment.
Our Perspective on Tim Key’s Collaboration with Bong Joon-Ho
A Unique Sci-Fi Experience from Bong Joon-Ho
The enthusiasm Tim Key expressed regarding his experience with Bong Joon-ho only amplifies the excitement surrounding Mickey 17. Known for his visually riveting, narratively sophisticated films, Bong’s artistic endeavors have consistently captivated audiences, from the striking visuals in Parasite to the vivid landscapes of Snowpiercer. With a dynamic ensemble cast and a concept brimming with potential, Mickey 17 promises to be an extraordinary extraterrestrial journey, representing yet another distinguished addition to Bong’s acclaimed repertoire.
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