Director Bong Joon-ho's new movie 'Mickey 17', which has elicited a 'legendary level of polarizing' response among his works, is set to be released in North America one day from now. Predictions have emerged that it will earn approximately 28.9 billion won in its opening week.
On the 5th (local time), the overseas media Variety reported that "Bong Joon-ho's new movie 'Mickey 17' is expected to generate ticket sales of between $18 million and $20 million (approximately 26 to 29 billion Hanwha) in its opening week."
'Mickey 17', which will be released on the 7th, is scheduled to be screened in 3,770 theaters across North America during its opening weekend, with global box office projections estimated to be around 58 billion to 65 billion won ($40 million to $45 million).
On the 28th of last month, 'Mickey 17', which premiered in South Korea for the first time in the world, surpassed 1 million viewers in just four days, generating approximately 9.6 billion won ($6.6 million) in revenue during its opening weekend.
However, there are concerns about the hefty production costs. Variety noted that the production budget amounts to about 170 billion won ($118 million) and stated, "To make a profit, it will need to generate about 430 billion won (approximately $300 million) in box office revenue."
Additionally, the unprecedentedly 'polarizing' reviews are expected to affect the film's box office success. As of this afternoon, the freshness score on the American film and drama rating site Rotten Tomatoes was recorded at 85% (out of a perfect score of 100%), which is the lowest among the films presented by Director Bong so far ('Parasite' (99%), 'Okja' (86%), 'Snowpiercer' (94%), 'Mother' (96%), 'The Host' (93%), 'Memories of Murder' (95%), etc.).
Overseas critics are also showing mixed reactions. The New York Times (NYT) and Los Angeles (LA) Times have praised the film, saying it "pioneers a new genre and makes a bold choice" and is "a film that poses intriguing questions until the end," while the New York Post has expressed disappointment, stating, "It may be underwhelming for a follow-up from the director," and "It falls short of expectations."
Meanwhile, the highly acclaimed 'Mickey 17' (screenplay and direction by Bong Joon-ho, produced by Plan B Entertainment, distributed by Warner Brothers Korea) features expendables sent into dangerous missions. The story unfolds as Mickey (played by Robert Pattinson), who is printed again upon death, faces his 17th death crisis, leading to unpredictable events as Mickey 18 (played by Robert Pattinson) is printed, believing Mickey has died. It is based on the science fiction novel 'Mickey 7' by American author Edward Ashton, which Bong Joon-ho adapted into a screenplay.
[Photo] OSEN DB / Movie Poster
[OSEN]