Watch the trailer for Robert Pattinson and Bong Joon-ho’s new sci-fi film

And so, just like clockwork, the time has come for another Robert Pattinson movie. The prolific British actor, whose stacked filmography reads like the schedule for its own imaginary film festival, appears in the 30-second trailer for Bong Joon-ho’s new sci-fi story Mickey 17.

In the clip, Pattinson lies asleep in what appears to be some sort of cryogenic chamber, while the camera slowly edges closer to his face, his eyes suddenly snapping open just as the title card forms. The shot is soundtracked by ominous strings reminiscent of music from Bong’s Parasite, implying the new film could share some sort of thematic kinship.

Like the director’s 2013 outing Snowpiercer, the plot of Mickey 17 has been adapted from already existing source material, namely Edward Ashton’s Mickey 7. Ashton’s novel was only released this February, suggesting Bong was keen to snap it up and start work on a screenplay, which he’s also penned.

In the book, Mickey is part of a crew sent to colonise the ice world of Niflheim, and the “expendable” of the group: if a task proves too difficult or potentially fatal, Mickey is sent in to fulfil the mission, sacrifice himself and eventually reincarnate – but he only has seven lives, hence the numerical name.

The film is Bong’s first release since the worldwide phenomenon Parasite, the first South Korean film to win the Palme d’Or at Cannes, also nabbing four Oscars including Best Picture, with a spin-off TV series currently in the works.

Speaking of the Academy Awards, Mickey17 is set to star Oscar nominees Toni Collette, Steven Yeun and Mark Ruffalo alongside Pattinson. Unlike his co-stars, that elusive Oscar nom has always evaded the Batman actor, despite appearances in a slew of critical smashes. Here’s hoping Bong’s golden touch will sprinkle some luck on him.

Mickey 17 will be released on March 29, 2024 in theatres worldwide.