Robert Pattinson and Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17 will be released next month, and exhibitors are eagerly predicting the film’s debut weekend collection. This highly anticipated movie arrives nearly six years after the global success of Parasite, creating significant buzz among fans and industry insiders alike. It’s a sci-fi black comedy based on Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel Mickey7, with Pattinson starring in the titular role. The film is set to premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival this month, further heightening anticipation.
The impressive supporting cast includes Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo. According to Box Office Pro’s long-range forecast, Mickey 17 is expected to generate a domestic weekend revenue between $15 million and $20 million. Although initially slated for a March 2024 release, the film’s timeline was adjusted due to the recent strikes in the industry.
The projected earnings for Robert Pattinson’s new venture would surpass the domestic opening weekend of Parasite, which only made $393.2K across three theatres in the United States. While Parasite ultimately grossed $53.36 million domestically and $258.1 million worldwide, Mickey 17 shows promise for a much larger debut as audiences seem ready for a fresh, entertaining feature.
Mickey 17 follows the story of Pattinson’s character, Mickey Barnes, who is a financially struggling Expendable—a disposable clone worker in the human colony Niflheim. As an Expendable, Mickey undertakes perilous missions, often anticipated not to survive, with his body regenerated each time he dies. The narrative intensifies when one of Mickey’s clones, dubbed “Mickey 17,” is wrongly presumed dead, forcing both the preceding and current versions—known as Mickey 18—to confront the brutal realities of being expendable and the harsh government of their colony.
The film is scheduled for release in the U.S. on March 7, where it will go up against anticipated blockbusters like Captain America: Brave New World and Snow White, both hitting theatres in March as well. Industry analysts are intrigued to see how these releases will impact Mickey 17’s box office performance. However, the excitement surrounding Robert Pattinson’s return to the big screen in such a novel role leaves many to speculate about its potential success in the competitive market.
As the release date approaches, box office numbers remain speculative, based on estimates from various sources, underscoring the dynamic nature of movie projections. With Pattinson’s star power and Bong Joon Ho’s directorial prowess, Mickey 17 is positioned for a remarkable debut and could redefine expectations for films in the sci-fi genre.
