Bong Joon-ho, known for his Oscar-winning film Parasite, is venturing into the world of animation with a record-breaking project. According to Korean news outlet Daum, the currently untitled film boasts the highest production budget ever for a Korean film, exceeding 700 billion won ($52 million).
Bong will direct the film. The story delves into the relationship between deep-sea creatures and humans, marking a departure from his previous live-action works. The animation will be made entirely in CG by South Korean VFX specialist company 4th Creative Party, with whom Bong has collaborated on films like Mother, Snowpiercer, and Okja. The film’s visual lighting will be overseen by Hong Kyung-pyo, the cinematographer behind Parasite.
Read more: Bong Joon-ho Leads Call for Inquiry into ‘Parasite’ Star Lee Sun-kyun’s Death
This animated exploration comes alongside another highly anticipated project from Bong. His sci-fi film Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, was originally scheduled for release on March 29th.
However, Warner Bros. recently announced an indefinite delay, leaving the film’s release date “undated.” Adapted from the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, the film explores themes of immortality and rebirth through the story of an “expendable” tasked with dangerous missions and facing constant regeneration.
While details of the animated film’s plot remain under wraps, the combination of Bong’s talent and the ambitious production budget promises a captivating journey into the depths of the ocean. Fans eagerly await further updates on both projects, marking an exciting new chapter for the celebrated director.