Bong Joon Ho on His First Animated Feature, ‘Ally

Bong Joon Ho Dives Into Animation with “Ally”: Everything We Know About the Deep-Sea Epic

Seven years after his historic Palme d’Or win with Parasite, director Bong Joon Ho is returning to the spotlight at Cannes with a bold departure from his usual live-action style. His latest project, Ally, marks the director’s first foray into animated feature films, promising a blend of whimsical storytelling and high-stakes action set in the farthest reaches of the ocean.

A Story of Ambition in the Abyss

Set in the uncharted depths of the South Pacific Ocean, Ally follows the journey of a curious piglet squid. The protagonist harbors a singular, endearing dream: to become the star of a wildlife documentary. The narrative centers on the anticipation of the annual visit from a Nat Geo submersible—the biggest event of the year for the deep-sea inhabitants, all of whom vie for a chance to be filmed.

However, the film shifts from a character study into a high-tension action movie when a disaster strikes. The introduction of a bomb in the ocean forces the creatures to transition from aspiring stars to defenders of their homeland, fighting to protect their world from destruction.

The Inspiration: Real-World Wonders

Bong Joon Ho’s vision for the film’s aesthetic and characters was sparked by the book The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss by photographer Claire Nouvian. Bong noted that the mysterious creatures captured in Nouvian’s photographs already looked like they belonged in an animation. One specific fish, which appeared conscious and aware of the camera, served as the catalyst for the creation of the film’s lead character and the surrounding story.

Why Animation? The Quest for “Unlimited” Action

While Bong has spent the last few decades working in live-action, his roots are in animation; his very first short film was a stop-motion project. Despite the mental toll that early experience took, he has long harbored a desire to return to the medium.

For Bong, animation offers a level of creative control that live-action cannot match. He specifically cited a desire to create action sequences that could surpass the work of masters like George Miller and Hayao Miyazaki. He explained that while live-action involves restrictive logistics—such as blocking roads and limited prop cars—animation allows his “control freak” nature to be fully unleashed without such boundaries.

Star-Studded Voice Cast and Distribution

The film features a high-profile ensemble to bring its deep-sea characters to life. Alex Jayne Go takes the lead role as Ally, supported by a voice cast that includes:

• Ayo Edebiri
• Bradley Cooper
• Dave Bautista
• Finn Wolfhard

On the business side, Bong is reuniting with Neon, the distributors of Parasite, who have acquired the North American rights. International sales (excluding Japan and China) are being handled by Pathé, while CJ and Penture are overseeing the Japanese and Chinese markets.

Reflections on Hollywood and “Mickey 17”

In discussing his recent work, Bong touched upon his experience with Mickey 17, his first project with a traditional Hollywood studio and a budget exceeding $100 million. While he found the actual filmmaking process similar to his previous works, he admitted that the massive budget created significant psychological and mental pressure. He indicated a preference for returning to smaller-scale films in the future.

Despite the scale of Mickey 17, Bong emphasized the importance of creative autonomy, noting that his contract guaranteed the director’s final cut. He takes full responsibility for the final product, stating that both the successes and failures of the film are his own.

Key Takeaways: “Ally” at a Glance

With Ally, Bong Joon Ho aims to provide a refreshing experience for his fans. While the medium is new, he believes the “signatures” of his storytelling will remain familiar, blending his characteristic social observation with a grand, animated scale.