As we have all seen, Bong Joon-ho’s directing style inculcates the ability to blend genres and incorporate social commentary. Recent examples are Mickey 17 and the Oscar-winning Parasite.
His creativity is reflected via visually enriched storytelling and detailed settings, and we expect the same from his next project. You will be surprised to know that Bong Joon-ho announced animated film in the work.
Yes, Bong Joon-ho goes animated! This will be his new cinematic chapter in an entirely different direction, which makes it more exciting.
Why has Bong Joon-ho announced animated film as his next project?
After making a stop-motion short, Looking for Paradise, Bong Joon-ho decided to make a meaningful return to the medium with another official animated film. He announced his first official animated feature film as he desired to revisit the genre for which he has been planning for years.
The film is reported to be in the English language, but Joon-ho assured us that the story would be touching enough to be understood by any person belonging to any region. Language wouldn’t be a barrier as the adorable deep-sea creatures as protagonists would be able to tell their unique stories.
It will be the first official animated film from the acclaimed director who wants to make a point through his filmmaking that the stories don’t need a language- they are to be felt and believed in the most unexpectedly brilliant ways. The animated feature film will be a surprising deviation from the kind of movies he has been doing in the past as most of them are live-action.
The detailed surrounding of the underwater world, if released in theatres, would give a whole new and unforgettable experience from the esteemed director, which we anticipate would be a must-watch.
What is the plot of Bong Joon-ho’s animated film?
Bong Joon-ho ventures into the animated world for his next film, named The Village; the plot details haven’t been disclosed yet. Joon-ho wants to keep it a secret for now. However, the story is set in Simahe and loosely inspired by Claire Nouvian’s French book “The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss”.
The story is predicted to make connections between humans and the sea creatures. Joon-ho revealed his admiration for vibrant marine life, which will be depicted in his upcoming film, capturing fascinating visuals.
The Village will aim to encompass the same colorful world of images that were shown in the book’s breathtaking photographs. The book contains interviews with marine scientists and trips in the depths of the ocean over a period of three years.
Joon-ho confirmed,
“I’ve decided on a working title. It’s ‘The Valley.’ Most of the paperwork is now being communicated under this title.” [Source]
The film will be fully CG-animated, originating from Seoul-based firm, 4th Creative Party (formerly known as EON Digital Films). The Korean VFX firm has previously worked on Joon-ho’s films like Snowpiercer (2013), Mother (2009) and Okja (2017).
Is Bong Joon-ho’s animated feature film Korea’s most expensive to date?
Yes, based on reports by World of Reel, Bong Joon-ho’s next animated masterpiece has a budget of around $60 million, when translated into US dollars. The project is rumored to be under Sony Pictures distribution.
Is the production underway?
Last year, when Mickey 17 was delayed, Bong Joon-ho had animated ambitions and started production on the hand-drawn storyboard for his next project, an animated feature film.
He mentioned sketching storyboards himself in the hotel room. He had been working on the film since 2018, and the storyboard was almost complete by 2021.
Joon-ho stated that he wanted this project to be only his work exclusively. He did not want two or three directors working on the film, as most animated films do. He said,
“I’m working really hard on it, with a lot of people. We are currently working on it with the goal of releasing it in 2027. Whenever I watch animated films, I see two or three directors credited, but I’m trying to do everything by myself, and it’s taking time.” [Source]
According to Screen Daily, the film is “halfway done” and expected for a 2027 release.
When is Bong Joon-ho’s animated film releasing?
The director said he has plans to complete the animated feature till 2026 and is thinking of releasing it in 2027.
Could Bong Joon-ho’s animated film The Village redefine animated storytelling? What are your thoughts on it? Comment below.
Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like Screen Anarchy, High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.
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