Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon Ho is preparing to return to darker territory after completing his upcoming animated feature “Ally.”
The director, best known internationally for films including “Parasite,” “Memories of Murder,” “The Host,” “Snowpiercer,” and “Okja,” has revealed that he is currently considering several new stories centered on crime and horror.
The filmmaker discussed his future plans in a recent interview with Variety ahead of receiving the Stella della Mole Award at Italy’s Museo Nazionale del Cinema in Torino.
During the conversation, Bong was asked about a long-discussed horror project set in Seoul’s subway system.
Although the project has been in development for years, he confirmed that the idea has not disappeared.
“Yeah, it’s still in my head. Now I have two or three stories. I’ve always been a huge fan of crime stories and dark horror action movies,” Bong said.
The comments offer an update on a project that has remained in the filmmaker’s thoughts for many years.
Bong has previously spoken about a Seoul-set horror story, describing it as a relatively contained project compared with some of his larger-scale productions.
His renewed comments suggest that the subway concept remains part of a wider collection of crime and horror ideas he is developing.
Bong’s next priority, however, remains “Ally,” his first animated feature.
The filmmaker has been working on the project for several years, and it is currently in post-production.
He explained that he recently had a Zoom meeting with members of his crew working in Seoul and London.
“Actually, I’m in the middle of post-production,” Bong said.
He also revealed that he expects the animated film to be completed around late January or February 2027.
Once that work is finished, he intends to devote more attention to the darker projects that have been developing in his mind.
‘Ally’ Nears Completion as Bong Plans His Next Projects
“Ally” represents a major change in direction for Bong Joon Ho, as it marks his first feature-length animated film.
The movie follows deep-sea creatures whose lives are disrupted after a plane crashes into the ocean.
The story centers on Ally, a deepwater octopus, and her friends as they embark on an unexpected journey connected to the human world.
The film has been in development since 2018, making it a long-term project for Bong.
It follows his 2025 science-fiction film “Mickey 17,” starring Robert Pattinson, and represents another major shift in genre and filmmaking style.
Bong has indicated that “Ally” could potentially premiere at one of several major international film festivals.
Discussing the possibility of a festival debut, he said,
“Sundance or Berlin is possible, and also Cannes. But I don’t know, it all depends on the release strategy of the distributors.”
He has also said that the film could be completed in early 2027, after which his attention will move toward screenwriting for his next projects.
According to recent reporting, Bong has described three storylines currently in development and believes a screenplay could be ready in 2027.
His plans suggest that his next stage of filmmaking could bring him back toward the genres that have featured prominently throughout his career.
Crime, suspense, horror, and dark action have repeatedly appeared in Bong’s work, although he has also demonstrated a willingness to combine genres rather than remain within a single category.
The Seoul subway project is particularly intriguing because Bong has been discussing the concept for years.
He previously connected the idea to a much smaller-scale Korean film and described it as involving horror and action.
In 2025, while promoting “Mickey 17,” he again discussed an action-horror project set inside Seoul’s subway system and referred to it as a long-term project.
Despite the project’s long development period, Bong has never completely abandoned it.
His latest comments indicate that the subway story remains part of his creative plans, although he has not confirmed that it will definitely become his next film.
Bong Joon Ho Looks Toward Smaller and Darker Stories
Bong’s interest in returning to crime and horror also comes after several large and technically ambitious productions. “Snowpiercer,” “Okja,” and “Mickey 17” each involved substantial worlds and production requirements, while “Parasite” and “Memories of Murder” demonstrated his ability to create intense stories within more grounded settings.
In recent discussions, Bong has indicated an interest in making films that are “smaller and more intense.”
This direction could fit naturally with his long-standing interest in crime and horror, particularly if he returns to a Seoul-based story.
The director has also previously spoken about his fascination with horror and the emotional possibilities of fear.
His filmmaking often combines suspense, social commentary, dark humor, and unsettling situations, making it difficult to place his work neatly into a single genre.
Another intriguing possibility emerged in 2025 when legendary filmmaker John Carpenter expressed interest in composing the music for one of Bong’s future horror projects.
During a conversation between the two directors, Bong brought up the possibility of Carpenter scoring his next horror movie, to which Carpenter enthusiastically responded,
“Oh, I wanna do your score!”
However, no formal collaboration has been announced, and Bong has not confirmed that Carpenter will score any upcoming film.
For now, Bong’s immediate focus remains “Ally,” which is expected to reach completion in early 2027.
Once the animated feature is finished, the filmmaker plans to begin more detailed work on his crime and horror ideas.
With two or three stories already developing and the long-discussed Seoul subway horror project still occupying his thoughts, Bong Joon Ho appears ready to revisit darker territory.
While details about his next film remain limited, his latest comments confirm that crime and horror remain important parts of his future filmmaking plans.
