What is the Real Story of Mickey 17? – Robert Pattinson Can’t Stop Dying in Bong Joon-Ho’s Next Oscar Contender 

They say “you only live once”, but tell that to Robert Pattinson in Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated film, Mickey 17! Dropping into theaters in 2025, this cinematic marvel has the Twilight star dying more times than a cat with nine lives. As he portrays multiple versions of Mickey Barnes, a handy yet disposable worker tasked with the mission to colonize Niflheim, we can’t help but contemplate—what does it really feel like to die?

Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17 | Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

With a star-studded cast including Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, this spellbinding journey of survival, sacrifice, and labor surely isn’t your average popcorn flick. Adapted from Edward Ashton’s thought-provoking novel Mickey7, seamlessly melds existential philosophy with Joon-ho’s signature dark humor.

Mickey 17: A Cosmic Adventure of Life, Death, and Cloning

Warner Bros. Pictures has recently lifted the curtain on Mickey 17, a film based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, which hit the shelves last year. The adaptation was greenlit even before the ink dried on the book (see The Hollywood Reporter), showcasing Hollywood’s hunger for fresh ideas.

In a world where technological optimism once reigned supreme, the narrative dives into the darker implications of a future where life can be reset at the press of a button. Remember Black Mirror? Well, Bong Joon-ho’s forthcoming film isn’t your average rosy tech fantasy; it’s a philosophical rollercoaster (check the trailer)!

Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17 | Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

In the novel, the protagonist Mickey Barnes is part of a colonization mission on a harsh planet. He is designated as an ‘Expendable, which means he takes on the most dangerous tasks that often lead to his death. The twist is that whenever Mickey dies, his consciousness is uploaded into a new clone that retains most of his memories and experiences, allowing him to continue working as if nothing happened.

Ergo, at the heart of Mickey 17 lies the tantalizing concept of uploaded consciousness. Robert Pattinson stars as Mickey, the expendable worker who embarks on dangerous missions in an effort to colonize new worlds. Similarly, when he meets his demise, he’s swiftly replaced by a clone who retains most of his memories.

But here’s where it gets spicy: in the novel, after six brushes with death, Mickey7 finally gets a handle on the fine print of his deal—and it’s not pretty. Turns out, he’s the last man standing for a reason, and it’s not exactly a hot job in the colonial lineup.

During what should have been a walk in the park—or a stroll across an icy wasteland—Mickey7 goes MIA and is presumed dead. But, lo and behold, he makes a dramatic return to the colony base. Nevertheless, his timing couldn’t be worse: a new clone, Mickey8, has already punched the clock for Expendable duties.

Mickey’s Many Lives: What’s in a Name?

Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ The Batman | Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

The book is cleverly titled Mickey7 because it chronicles the seventh iteration of our daring expendable, Mickey. However, Bong Joon-ho has taken a detour with the name Mickey17. Why is that? Well, this title change highlights the fact that the movie’s main character meets his end far more frequently than in the book. At CinemaCon (via IndieWire), the director, 55, humorously stated, “I killed him 10 times more,” to drive the point home.

Meanwhile, in an interview with SUNY Brockport, Edward Ashton, the author, spilled the beans on a fascinating philosophical conundrum, teletransportation paradox:

If you’re able to copy your mind, your personality — everything about you, even your love of strawberry ice cream and your hatred of electronic dance music — into another body, would that new person be you or just some guy touching all of your stuff?

Although the specific plot details for this brain-bending adventure remain under wraps, there’s no fog of uncertainty when it comes to the star-studded cast. While Robert Pattinson may have cut his teeth on the Twilight saga and donned the cape in The Batman, he’s proven time and again that he’s not just a pretty face in a fancy suit.

Enter Mickey 17, a film poised to be another feather in his cap.

From the looks of it, Pattinson will be juggling multiple characters. When chatting with ES Magazine, he kept his cards close to his chest, but hinted that he had his hands full with plenty of dialogue.

It’s like nothing I’ve ever done before. The movie is so crazy, it’s a completely different style of working.

Mark Ruffalo, Naomie Ackie, and Toni Collette will also be joining this all-star lineup. And Joon-ho is the crème de la crème, especially after his blockbuster triumph with Parasite.

With such a gorgeous resume, it’s no wonder that bringing the intriguing tale of Mickey 17 to life is in such capable hands and is poised to be Joon-ho’s next Oscar contender!

Mickey 17 will be released on January 31, 2025.