Following the successful Cannes premiere of his latest film, celebrated director Yorgos Lanthimos is preparing to embark on an exciting new project titled Bugonia. The film, described as a sci-fi dark comedy, will star Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. For U.S. distribution, Focus Features has acquired the rights, while Universal Pictures will manage the international rollout.
Bugonia represents a notable shift for Lanthimos, who has been working closely with Searchlight Pictures for several of his acclaimed releases. These include The Favourite, Poor Things, which won applause from critics and fans alike, and his most recent film, Kinds of Kindness. Interestingly, Bugonia will see Lanthimos reuniting with both Stone and Plemons, who also feature in Kinds of Kindness.
Bugonia is an English-language adaptation of the 2003 South Korean sci-fi comedy, Save the Green Planet. The story centers around two conspiracy-obsessed young men who believe that a high-powered CEO is an alien intent on destroying Earth. Driven by their paranoia, they kidnap the executive, leading to a series of darkly comedic and adventurous events. This adaptation has been developed through a collaboration between CJ ENM and Square Peg, an innovative production company started by Hereditary director Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen.
The production of Bugonia is bolstered by a robust team of producers. Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe of Element Pictures will be producing alongside Yorgos Lanthimos, Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Emma Stone, and representatives from CJ ENM, including Miky Lee and Jerry Kyoungboum Ko. Such a lineup promises to bring diverse and substantial experiences to the table, enhancing the quality and reach of the film.
Yorgos Lanthimos has solidified his place in cinematic history as a director of international acclaim. The Greek filmmaker first captured global attention with his unique and often unsettling narratives. His breakout film, Dogtooth, won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009, setting the stage for a successful career in both European and English-language cinema.
Since making the transition to English-language films, Lanthimos has created a portfolio of successful and critically acclaimed works. The Lobster, a dystopian satire, garnered widespread acclaim and positioned Lanthimos as a force in English-language cinema. Following this, The Killing of a Sacred Deer continued to showcase his signature style—dark, thought-provoking, and often disturbing.
However, it was The Favourite that cemented his status as a top-tier director. The film, a period drama with a dark comedic twist, earned Olivia Colman an Oscar for Best Actress and received high praise for its bold narrative and striking visual elements. Notably, The Favourite was also a part of Lanthimos’ collaboration with Emma Stone, solidifying a creative partnership that has since produced multiple successful projects.
More recently, Lanthimos’ film Poor Things dominated the 2023 Venice Film Festival, clinching the prestigious Golden Lion award. The film also secured eleven Academy Award® nominations, with Emma Stone winning her second Best Actress award. This considerable success has set high expectations for Bugonia, both in terms of its artistic quality and commercial performance.
His latest work, Kinds of Kindness, premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and is scheduled for a wide release on June 21, 2024. The film has already built significant anticipation, underscoring Lanthimos’ ongoing influence and relevance in contemporary cinema.
With Bugonia, Lanthimos is set to explore new territory while continuing to engage audiences with his distinctive storytelling approach. Partnering once again with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, the film promises to deliver a blend of humor, intrigue, and thought-provoking themes. As this project takes shape, it adds another exciting chapter to the careers of everyone involved and reinforces Yorgos Lanthimos’ reputation as a visionary director in both the sci-fi and dark comedy genres.
Stay tuned for more updates on Bugonia as it progresses through production, aiming to captivate audiences worldwide upon its release.
