UPDATE: 28 April 2022

So Edward Ashton tweeted out movieweb’s article on Mickey7. I’ve got this book lined up to read next and am so looking forward to it. Although Rob still hasn’t officially been confirmed (Bong Joon would be nuts not to secure him), this is what Movieweb had to say:

Set in a future where humans are colonizing distant planets and cloning is a reality, the upcoming film will mark Bong’s first foray into intergalactic science fiction. His previous sci-fi films have been strictly terrestrial.

This should be an interesting change of pace from the realistic class comedy/drama/horror Parasite, but don’t expect the auteur to lay off on the earthly social commentary: Bong has explored many genres and has always grounded his films in contemporary satire, no matter how fantastical the story. He has a deep understanding of the relationship between genre tropes and sociology and has used movie formulas to explicitly explore themes implicit in the genres themselves (e.g., environmental terror and neglect in the monster movie are made overt in the Host (2006), while class inequality and social Darwinism in the dystopian sci-fi thriller is explored and subverted in Snowpiercer (2013), Bong’s first English language film).

The Mickey7 novel is full of ideas about labor, corporate control, and colonialism, all told through the protagonist’s gallows humor. There’s plenty of room for Bong’s satire and directorial trademarks to shine through.

…

Robert Pattinson is in talks to star in the new film. This will mark the first collaboration between the actor and Bong Joon-Ho, but the pair seem like an excellent match. Pattinson has established his acting chops, shedding the pretty boy image cultivated in the Twilight Films and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In recent years Pattinson has worked predominantly in auteur-driven cinema, kinetic films with brooding atmosphere, and occasionally absurd humor, such as Good Time (2017) and the Lighthouse (2019). While both of those films are utterly unique, they share common artistry, tension, and strangeness with the films of Bong Joon-Ho, and Pattinson is no doubt up for the plunge into his dark, chaotic world. Though little is known about the casting (or the screenplay), we can assume that Pattinson will take on the role of Mickey and his various incarnations.

UPDATED: 3 March 2022

Although Rob hinted that he’s definitely on board during the Korean Q&A, Kyle Buchanan has confirmed that when he last spoke to Bong Joon Ho, Rob was still in preliminary discussions to sign. Maybe Rob was just putting it out there on how interested he is. I guess at the end of the day all will depend on filming of the next Batman instalment, because after I saw the film last night, there will definitely be another Batman film (or there better be!)

Update: 18 February 2022

Rob attended a post screening Q&A (via video conference) in Korea today. It’s no surprise that he was asked about the new Bong Joon-Ho film and we finally have Rob’s confirmation. From Naver :

20 January 2022

Deadline exclusively reported that Rob is in talks to star in Bong Joon Ho’s next project for Warner Bros – a film based on the upcoming novel by Edward Ashton “Mickey7”.

EXCLUSIVE: After taking nearly two years to figure out his next project following his Oscar sweep in 2020 with Parasite, director Bong Joon Ho looks to have found his next film and is taking a certain Caped Crusader along for the ride. Sources tell Deadline that Bong is in talks to write and direct an untitled film based on Edward Ashton’s upcoming novel Mickey7 for Warner Bros, and that The Batman star Robert Pattinson is in talks to star. Bong will also produce the untitled film for his production company Offscreen alongside Dooho Choi for Kate Street Picture Company and Plan B.

The book will be published in in the first quarter of 2022 by St. Martin, a Macmillan imprint. While the film will be inspired by the novel, sources say that given Bong’s past experiences with adaptations, his version might ultimately may be different from the novel’s. The novel’s story follows, 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.

Following Parasite’s sweep of the Oscars including a Best Director and Best Picture victory, Bong has taken his time in figuring out his next steps. Towards the end of 2021, he was presented the manuscript for the unpublished book by Ashton, which immediately drew his interest. The Oscar winner became loosely attached to the project late last year and prior to the holiday break met with some of the town’s most promising stars as every A-lister in their 30s was chasing the role. It wasn’t long before Bong and execs were impressed with Pattinson following his meeting and felt he was perfect for the role, with an offer going out right before the new year.

According to Goodreads:

“Mickey7, an “expendable,” refuses to let his replacement clone Mickey8 take his place.

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.”

I will create a film page as soon as Rob confirms he’s signed on. For now I will update this post with any further information. Dedicated Film page now live.

Updated: IMDbPro updated Rob’s “Projects in Development”