Why does release date for Bong Joon-ho’s ‚Mickey 17‘ keep changing?

Bong Joon-ho’s new movie „Mickey 17“ follows the story of Mickey, a person repeatedly cloned and used as a disposable employee. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Korea

Director Bong Joon-ho’s new movie, „Mickey 17“ is about to premiere in the US on March 7 and is prone to debut in Korea two days earlier, on March 5.

The date, finalized after a number of modifications, has drawn consideration for being confirmed simply two months forward of the premiere — a shocking transfer for the Oscar-winning director behind „Parasite“ (2019), which claimed 4 Academy Awards.

„Mickey 17“ was initially scheduled for launch on March 29, 2024. Nonetheless, a month earlier than, Hollywood distributor Warner Bros. introduced that the discharge date can be moved to Jan. 31.

In response to the U.S. leisure outlet Selection, the choice displays the fallout from the 2023 Writers Guild of America’s strike. Some analysts additionally speculated that the timing was to capitalize on the Lunar New 12 months vacation in East Asian international locations. Nonetheless, Hollywood typically considers late January an low season.

In November 2023, Warner Bros. introduced that it could push again the discharge date for „Mickey 17“ to April 18. Warner Bros. carried out this as a follow-up measure after rescheduling one other launch, „Michael,“ to October.

On the time, Warner Bros. stated in a press launch, „We’re very comfortable that ‚Mickey 17‘ could have the chance to achieve a bigger IMAX viewers.“ Selection predicted that the brand new date may gain advantage from the Easter vacation season within the U.S., which begins on April 20.

Now, with the discharge date moved once more to March 7, Warner Bros. Korea cited related causes in a press launch on Dec. 28.

“The timing permits us to focus on the U.S. spring break field workplace, which spans 4 consecutive weeks, and safe IMAX screens for an extended interval,” it stated. “The choice additionally displays robust confidence stemming from excessive scores throughout take a look at screenings carried out with basic audiences.”

Nonetheless, the choice to shift from April to March has raised questions. In contrast to Easter, the U.S. field workplace doesn’t historically view spring break as a peak season.

Kim Hyo-jung, a movie critic and professor at Hanyang College, stated, “Spring break is just not a serious season for U.S. theaters since many school college students journey throughout this era. Focusing on Easter would have made extra sense.”

Warner Bros. Korea defended the choice, noting that March has confirmed profitable for previous blockbusters, akin to „Dune: Half 2“ (2024) and „The Batman“ (2022), each of which debuted in early March.

A earlier Korean poster for „Mickey 17“ nonetheless signifies an April launch date. The poster was launched previous to the schedule change. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Korea

A shock Berlinale debut?

One other issue fueling hypothesis is whether or not „Mickey 17“ may make a shock look on the Berlin Worldwide Movie Pageant in February. Whereas not confirmed, such a transfer might function a strategic promotional push forward of its world launch.

There was some home skepticism concerning the beforehand introduced launch dates for „Mickey 17.“ The months of March, April and January are seen as unaligned with the Cannes Movie Pageant in Might — an occasion that would present important worldwide publicity — or the U.S. Academy Awards season, which peaks between September and December.

Bong, who gained world recognition with movies like „The Host“ (2006), „Mom“ (2009) and „Okja“ (2016), solidified his standing by successful the Palme d’Or at Cannes for „Parasite“ (2019). Notably, „Parasite“ premiered within the U.S. on Oct. 11, aligning with the awards season timeline.

Some speculate that the discharge date for „Mickey 17“ might have been moved as much as coincide with a possible invitation to the Berlin Worldwide Movie Pageant (Feb. 13 to 23), elevating the opportunity of an early debut within the pageant’s competitors class.

The frequent launch date modifications have additionally sparked theories that the movie may not align properly with mainstream American audiences.

„Mickey 17“ revolves round Mickey (performed by Robert Pattinson), a person repeatedly cloned as a „disposable employee“ on an area colonization mission, with the quantity „17“ representing his replication rely. The movie relies on Edward Ashton’s 2022 science fiction novel „Mickey7.“

Director Bong Joon-ho discusses filming with famend cinematographer Darius Khondji on the set of „Mickey 17.“ Courtesy of Warner Bros. Korea

With an estimated manufacturing price range of $150 million, the movie qualifies as a serious blockbuster however has obtained an R score (equal to Korea’s restricted score), which is uncommon for a movie of this scale.

A Hollywood distributor stated, „It’s uncommon for a big-budget movie from an Oscar-winning director to incessantly change its launch date. There appear to be variables at play that differ from typical Hollywood blockbusters.“

This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Instances, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Instances.