Ally: Bong Joon Ho's Animated Adventure Unveiled

Ally: Bong Joon Ho's Animated Adventure Unveiled

Renowned Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho has announced the title of his upcoming animated feature film, "Ally," along with a first look at the main character. The story follows Ally, a piglet squid living in the South Pacific Ocean, who embarks on a journey to the surface after a mysterious aircraft disrupts her peaceful life. Accompanied by unique companions, Ally navigates through encounters with humans and marine creatures, exploring themes of friendship and courage.

The film is a collaboration between Bong and Jason Yu, with French studio Pathé joining as a financier, distributor, and sales agent. Production is overseen by Barunson C&C, with a completion date set for the first half of 2027 and a worldwide theatrical release in the same year. Pathé will handle distribution in select regions, while CJ ENM and Penture Invest will manage distribution in other territories.

"Ally" marks Bong's first venture into animation, following his success with live-action films like "Parasite," "Okja," and "Snowpiercer." The project brings together creative talents from 12 countries, including animation supervisor Jae Hyung Kim, supervising producer David Lipman, and production designer Marcin Jakubowski. DNEG, known for their work on films like "Inception" and "Dune," is also involved in the production, contributing expertise in high-end 3D animation.

During an interview at the Marrakech Film Festival, Bong shared insights into the challenging yet rewarding process of creating an animated film. "Ally" is a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker and storyteller. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project as it progresses towards its anticipated release.