There’s escaping type casting, and there’s whateverRobert Pattinsonis doing. The actor, best known for theTwilightfranchise, has built an inexplicably large and diverse filmography over the past few years. His recent roles have ranged from underrated A24 hits, Christopher Nolan blockbusters, becoming the new Batman, and even a Studio Ghibli movie. This year, Robert Pattinson took a second crack at the sci-fi genre in Bong Joon-ho’sMickey 17. Despite decent reviews from critics and similarly positive reactions from audiences,Mickey 17died early at the box office. But, like the eponymous character Pattinson plays in the movie, the film has just come back to life on streaming.
Mickey 17is available to stream on Max,and it is currently the most popular film on the platform this week. Bong Joon-ho wrote the screenplay, which was adapted from the novelMickey7, by Edward Ashton. The film is set in the far future, and follows Mickey (Pattinson) as he volunteers to be an “expendable” on an intergalactic flight to secure a new planet for the Human Race, while escaping his debts on Earth. Mickey is used as a test subject and is reprinted from a bio-organic 3D printer each time he dies. But, when he doesn’t completely die before a new clone is reprinted, he is faced with the consequences of becoming a double. The film had a lot going for it, including a great supporting cast made up of Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Naomi Ackie, and Toni Collette.
Director of Robert Pattinson & Jennifer Lawrence’s New Movie Explains Why Critics Are Getting It All Wrong
The filmmaker has something to say to critics about her latest film starring Lawrence and Pattinson, which just debuted at Cannes.
However, the film failed to establish a base at the box office. Even with Bong Joon-ho’s name attached and his career currently at its zenith followingParasite, the incredible cast, and the sci-fi concept, audiences just weren’t interested in seeing the film on the big screen.Mickey 17grossed a total of $131.8 million at the worldwide box office, with just $46 million of that coming domestically.
‘Mickey 17’ Is Robert Pattinson’s Second High-Concept Sci-Fi Movie
As previously mentioned, Robert Pattinson has done a lot toremove himself from hisTwilightdays(which, ironically, has been diminished by journalists like us frequently bringing it up — sorry, Robert). ButMickey 17isn’t the first time Pattinson has ventured into outer space to escapeTwilightfans. Seven years before the actor earned 17 paychecks for the same role in Bong Joon-ho’s film, he played another astronaut in Claire Denis’sHigh Life.
The film also starred Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, Ewan Mitchell, and Andre 3000, and was distributed by A24. Unlike the surreal dark comedy ofMickey 17,High Lifewas a much slower and more introspective filmabout the isolation of space. Pattinson starred as Monte, an astronaut living in deep space with no one but his infant daughter. Throughout the movie, we see Monte trying to raise his daughter on his own, while the audience is faced with the eerie mystery of his daughter’s birth.
Robert Pattinson might not be away from the sci-fi genre for long, though. He is currently rumored to appear inDenis Villeneuve’sDune: Messiahas Scytale,although this hasn’t been confirmed yet. In the meantime, he currently stars in Christopher Nolan’sThe Odyssey, which is in production.
