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Robert Pattinson calls Bong Joon-ho a 'Master' as he reflects on working in sci-fi thriller Mickey 17

During a press conference at the festival, Pattinson ranked Bong Joon-ho among his personal "Mount Rushmore" of directors

CE Features

The much-anticipated sci-fi film Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon-ho and starring Robert Pattinson, had its German premiere at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival, where the actor shared insights about his experience working with the celebrated South Korean filmmaker.

During a press conference at the festival, Pattinson expressed his admiration for Bong, calling him a "master" and ranking him among his personal "Mount Rushmore" of directors. The Twilight and The Batman star described the collaboration as "incredible," according to Deadline.

Mickey 17 is based on Edward Ashton's 2022 novel Mickey 7, which follows a man in a futuristic setting who takes on the role of an "expendable" worker—a disposable employee sent on high-risk missions who is resurrected each time he dies. Alongside Pattinson, the film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.

Academy Award nominee Toni Collette also spoke about her involvement in the project, revealing that it was the first time in her career that she agreed to a film before even reading the script, a testament to her faith in Bong’s vision.

This marks Bong’s first directorial venture since his 2019 Oscar-winning masterpiece Parasite. At the press conference, he shared his passion for exploring various genres, stating, "I want to make films of all genres. That's my life goal... even if I'm a little scared of musicals." He added that he draws inspiration from various sources, including observing people, as he is always "writing in his head."

Mickey 17 is set for a theatrical release in South Korea on February 28, followed by its U.S. premiere through Warner Bros. on March 7.

Meanwhile, Pattinson also provided an update on The Batman Part II, confirming that filming will begin in late 2025. While remaining tight-lipped about plot details, he assured fans that the highly anticipated sequel is going to be "cool."

The film, originally slated for release on October 2, 2026, has been pushed to October 1, 2027, as confirmed by Warner Bros. Director Matt Reeves had previously mentioned at the Golden Globes that production would commence sometime in 2025.

Pattinson acknowledged the long wait for the sequel, reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the timeline. "It's been a while... everything feels so long ago because COVID just erased three years," he said.

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