Robert Pattinson’s upcoming sci-fi movie, Mickey 17, marks his greatest acting challenge yet, especially if the film follows its source material closely. Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, the feature-length adaptation sees Oscar-winner Bong Joon-ho (Parasite) taking on writing and directing duties. Given the other precedent-setting science-fiction projects like Snowpiercer and Okja in the filmmaker’s oeuvre, there’s no doubt Bong will translate all the source material’s high-concept threads to the silver screen. Of course, with that comes trials for Mickey 17‘s star.
In the source material, an “expendable” employee is sent to the ice world of Niflheim on an expedition to colonize it. If one iteration of the expendable dies, a new body is fabricated, though it’s imbued with the previous employee’s memories. Pattinson plays Mickey, the expendable at the story’s center. The actor has flexed his versatile acting chops in films like High Life and The Batman, which proved people hated Twilight for the wrong reasons. However, Mickey 17‘s profound premise presents Pattinson with his most demanding film role yet.
Robert Pattinson Will Play At Least Two Clones In Mickey 17
Self-described as The Martian meets Dark Matter, Ashton’s Mickey7 sees its eponymous “expendable” coming to understand the terms of his existence only after six deaths on Niflheim. When a life-threatening mission comes for Mickey7, however, he refuses to step aside for his replacement, Mickey8. It’s expected that Bong will keep at least the core elements of the story intact even if the details of Mickey’s story shift. That said, Robert Pattinson, who looks creepy in the Parasite director’s new movie, will be tasked with playing at least two versions of Mickey.
As sci-fi series and movies like Orphan Black and Us demonstrate, playing clones — slightly (or drastically) different versions of the same person — can be an exciting prospect for actors who are up for the challenge. Not only will Pattinson share the screen with other A-listers like Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, and Naomi Ackie, who’s teased the project, but he’ll also share it with himself. Considering Mickey 17‘s premise, Pattinson is set to play both the protagonist and antagonist of the narrative, which, if done well, could take his acting talents to new heights.
Robert Pattinson’s Clone Role Makes Mickey 17 Even More Exciting
Robert Pattinson’s upcoming clone roles might present a real challenge, but they also make Mickey 17 all the more exciting. Not only is the film bolstered by Bong’s formidable talents, but it also offers Pattinson the opportunity to sink his teeth into something completely new. Although he made a household name for himself with the Twilight franchise, Pattinson has gone on to work with acclaimed directors like David Cronenberg (Cosmopolis), Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse), and Christopher Nolan (Tenent). That said, a collaboration between Pattinson and Bong in Mickey 17 is an exciting next step in the actor’s career.
