This weekend, Warner Bros. releases its highly anticipated sci-fi film Mickey 17, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon Ho. With an estimated global box office target of $45 million, this production has a net cost of $118 million after tax credits. For the film to break even, it needs to generate between $240 million and $300 million at the box office. Despite these challenges, early tracking suggests a potential domestic opening of over $20 million. The movie's marketing strategy aims to make the story of Pattinson’s character, a space worker who repeatedly sacrifices himself only to be reborn, relatable to a broader audience. Critics have responded positively, with the film achieving an 85% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Bong Joon Ho, known for his Oscar-winning film Parasite, brings his unique vision to Mickey 17. This project, based on Edward Ashton's novel and adapted by Bong, was greenlit in January 2022 under Toby Emmerich's leadership and further supported by Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy when they took over in June 2022. The film's high budget is attributed to achieving the director's vision for the third act, which many consider the highlight of the 2-hour and 19-minute feature. Warner Bros. sees this as an opportunity to attract more auteurs following Christopher Nolan's departure for Universal. The film also stars Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, Steven Yeun, and Naomi Ackie, and will debut in over 3,770 theaters in the U.S., including premium formats like Imax and Dolby Cinema.

In Korea, where the film debuted last weekend, it grossed $9 million, marking the best start for a Warner Bros. movie since 2019 and Robert Pattinson's highest-ever launch in the country. Internationally, Mickey 17 will open in 66 additional markets, including major territories like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, China, Australia, and Latin America. Early reactions from critics in France and the UK have been positive, and Chinese media have highlighted the film's appeal to younger audiences. The marketing campaign emphasizes the film's allegorical themes, resonating with viewers' experiences in navigating demanding work environments.

The release of Mickey 17 comes at a time when audiences are increasingly drawn to films by renowned directors like Nolan, Tarantino, and Scorsese. While the film faces significant financial hurdles, there is hope that it could attract a surge of viewers during its opening weekend, similar to how Robert Eggers' Nosferatu unexpectedly became Focus Features' second-highest-grossing film. As the film rolls out globally, all eyes will be on its performance, particularly in key markets like China, where it may find a receptive audience amidst the dominance of local blockbusters.