Parasitedirector Bong Joon Ho continues to surprise us with his dark sci-fi comedyMickey 17. DespiteMickey 17having more mixed reviewsthan the Oscar-winningParasite, the acclaim that the former received proves Bong has not lost his edge and remains one of cinema’s most distinctive creators. This has made his next big movie another highly-anticipated project.
TheMickey 17director has revealed that he is currently working on an animated movie, making it a surprising deviation fromBong Joon Ho’s previous films. Since many of Bong’s projects have been live-action films, his follow-up to2025’sMickey 17will present a unique cinematic experience from the esteemed director. Though details surrounding the film are still scarce, the story and talent that Bong has assembled so far hints at another must-see movie from the acclaimed filmmaker.
Bong Joon Ho Is Making His First Animated Movie After Mickey 17
Bong Joon Ho Will Explore A New Medium For His Next Feature Film
After makinghis fourth sci-fi film withMickey 17, Bong Joon Ho will release his first animated feature film,The Valley, in 2027.Bong reportedly first experimented with animation as a university studentwith his 1992 stop-motion short filmLooking for Paradise(viaThe Hollywood Reporter). While all of his films following this short have been live-action projects, Bong had expressed his desire to return to his roots and shift mediums to animation (viaThe Korean Herald).
If You Liked Mickey 17, You Have To Watch This Dystopian Sci-Fi Film With A 94% RT Score Next
Mickey 17 is a unique sci-fi satire, but director Bong Joon-ho released a similar film in 2013’s Snowpiercer in terms of story, tone, and themes.
UnlikeLooking for Paradise,The Valleywill be a completely CG-animated featurecreated with the help of the Korean VFX studio 4th Creative Party, who collaborated with Bong onThe Host,Snowpiercer, andOkja.It will also present cinematography done by Hong Kyung-pyo, who previously worked with Bong onParasite. The film will also feature voice acting from acclaimed German director Werner Herzog, who starred in 2012’sJack Reacherand season 1 ofThe Mandalorian.
What Bong Joon Ho’s Animated Movie Is About
The Valley Explores Subject Matter Both New And Familiar To Bong Joon Ho
SinceThe Valleyis still in the early stages of production, much of the film’s storyhasn’t been revealed to the public. However, it is said to bean animated drama involving humans and deep-sea creatures. Like many of Bong’s past films,The Valleywill feature a script written by the director himself. However, according toThe Korean Herald, the movie is inspired by Claire Nouvian’s bookThe Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss.
Deep-sea creatures also haven’t been explored in Bong’s films in great detail. However, Bongexplored humanity’s relationships with wildlife through creaturesthrough the super pigs inOkjaand thealien Creepers inMickey 17. The way Bong has addressed people’s mistreatment of nature could be a theme brought up inThe Valleywith the way it depicts humans alongside the creatures of the deep.
Bong Joon Ho Jumping Into Animation Is Incredibly Exciting
The Valley Will Be A Bold New Adventure From A Versatile Director
Since Bong Joon-ho has delivered several popular and acclaimed films over the years,The Valleywill surely be another exciting cinematic event when it comes out in 2027. This ambitious film will also likely show Bong making history in South Korean cinema once more, as the movie is expected to have a significant budget compared to other Korean animated films.
Bong has already displayed great skill in directing live-action/CG-hybrids withSnowpiercer,Okja, andMickey 17. This experience should translate well into his work onThe Valley. Given Bong’s masterful and meticulous style of filmmaking, he could very well end up creating a CG-animated hit unlike anything ever seen before.
WithThe Valleysupposedly coming in two or three years, Bong has shown no signs of slowing down
Overall, Bong has shown his desire to push himself as a filmmaker with his productionThe Valley. Despite winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars withParasite, Bong proves he is willing to explore new horizons, which he did by directing the Hollywood blockbusterMickey 17. WithThe Valleysupposedly coming in two or three years, Bong has shown no signs of slowing down.
