In a recent conversation at the British Film Institute, acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho disclosed that Mark Ruffalo‘s antagonist character in his upcoming film “Mickey 17” closely mirrors a certain U.S. president known for his outspoken criticism of “Parasite,” the director’s previous hit. Bong elaborated that they shot the film in London in 2022, but an event in 2024 bears a striking similarity to the narrative, with Ruffalo’s character, Kenneth Marshall, depicted as having “faintly orange-tinged skin.” The unexpected parallels led Bong to remark that after witnessing recent events, Ruffalo expressed astonishment, asking, “Were we oracles predicting the future?”
When the director was prompted about whether this character was a direct response to Trump’s remarks on “Parasite’s” success, he humorously remarked, “I am not that petty,” which elicited laughter from the audience present at the event.
The film, which is set to release on March 7, stars Robert Pattinson and is based on Edward Ashton’s novel. The story revolves around a character who faces the unusual phenomenon of being “printed” repeatedly after dying during perilous missions. Bong mentioned being captivated by the concept, noting how it deviates from traditional cloning narratives, making it an intriguing plot for audiences to explore.
Mark Ruffalo, well-known for his activist roles in films such as “Spotlight” and “Dark Waters,” reportedly felt puzzled by his casting as the villain, asking Bong, “Why me? Do you see that side?” To which Bong reminisced about Ruffalo’s flustered response upon receiving the role.
This BFI event also served as a platform to reflect on Bong’s remarkable career, which began with his 2000 debut “Barking Dogs Never Bite,” culminating in critical successes like “Memories of Murder,” “The Host,” and “Mother.” These films will be showcased in both color and black-and-white during an upcoming retrospective at the BFI.
On the subject of his unique storytelling style, Bong explained that he doesn’t consciously separate genres like comedy and tragedy when crafting his films. He shared an insightful perspective on his writing process, stating, “I don’t really see them in those separate elements. I don’t really think about how to balance these different parts…and then shoot the film and realize that, ‘Oh, that’s what it is.’”
Moreover, he discussed his preference for writing in bustling cafes rather than secluded spaces, saying, “I go to cafeterias, coffee shops. Take my laptop. I stay in one coffee shop for two, three hours, go to the next one, get some fresh air, and the third one.” However, he expressed sadness over many of his favorite writing spots having closed down.
The BFI is set to honor Bong’s cinematographic contributions by screening several of his films at their Imax theater through February and March, with a more extensive retrospective planned for April at BFI Southbank.
