Yorgos Lanthimos is back with a buzzy new film — literally. The Oscar nominee directs “Bugonia,” a bee-centric reimagining of Jang Joon-hwan’s 2003 sci-fi satire “Save the Green Planet!” Of course, in true Lanthimos fashion, he is reuniting with muse and collaborator Emma Stone, who plays a high-powered pharmaceutical CEO kidnapped by two eco extremists, played by “Kinds of Kindness” star Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis. Lanthimos’ “Killing of a Sacred Deer” alum Alicia Silverstone co-stars, along with Stavros Halkias.
Per the official synopsis, “Two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.” Will Tracy (“The Menu,” “Succession”) wrote the film, which was announced in February 2024 and is expected to make a Venice Film Festival debut.
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Stone won the Best Actress Oscar in 2004 for Lanthimos’ “Poor Things.” She produces “Bugonia” through her Fruit Tree banner. Lanthimos, Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen (Square Peg), Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe (Element Pictures), and Miky Lee and Jerry Ko (CJ ENM) also produce.
“Save the Green Planet!” (2005) was written and directed by Jang Joon-Hwan and produced by Sidus. This English-language version was developed by CJ ENM with Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen at Square Peg. Fremantle and CJ ENM financed “Bugonia.”
Six-time Oscar-nominated director Lanthimos’ version of the film was originally set for a November 7 release, which was moved up to October.
The below-the-line team also is a reunion for many members of the Lanthimos universe: His longtime editor Yorgos Mavropsaridis returns, as well as cinematographer Robbie Ryan, production designer James Price, and composer Jerskin Fendrix. Lanthimos will also collaborate with “The Zone of Interest” sound mixer Johnnie Burn, costume designer Jennifer Johnson, and casting director Jennifer Venditti.
Focus Features will release “Bugonia” in select theaters October 24 and widely on October 31. Check out the teaser below.
