▲ This still from "Ally," the first feature-length animated film by South Korean film director Bong Joon-ho, is provided by CJ ENM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean film director Bong Joon-ho will present his first feature-length animated film, "Ally," as his next project, CJ ENM said Friday.

 

CJ ENM said it will handle investment and distribution for the film. 

 

"Ally" tells the story of deep-sea creatures living in an underwater canyon who are curious about the human world. The peaceful daily life of the protagonist, a baby pig squid named Ally who dreams of seeing the sun and appearing on TV, and its friends is disrupted by the crash of an unidentified aircraft, leading them into an unexpected adventure.

 

Bong had previously mentioned he was preparing an animated project following "Mickey 17" (2025), which had been known under the working title "The Valley." Planning and development for the film began in 2019.

 

Director Yoo Jae-sun, known for the film "Sleep," participated in writing the screenplay.

 

The production also brings together an international team from 12 countries, including VFX studio DNEG, which worked on "Inception" and "Dune"; animation supervisor Kim Jae-hyung of "Toy Story 4"; production designer Marcin Jakubowski of Netflix’s "Klaus"; and producer David Lipman of "Shrek."

 

In addition to CJ ENM, Pentera Invest and French film company Pathe Films are participating in investment and distribution. Barunson C&C, which produced Bong’s previous films "Mother" and "Okja," will oversee production.

 

"Ally" is aiming to complete production in the first half of next year before its global release. The exact release date has yet to be decided.

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