[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Director Bong Joon-ho is set to hit theaters worldwide in the summer of 2027 with his first feature-length animated film, “Ally.” Interest is mounting not only because he is expanding his repertoire from live-action to animation but also because this is a large-scale project that has brought together a multinational production team and a global distributor from the very beginning of production.

“Ally” is set to open in France on July 14 of next year and will also reach Korean audiences later that same month. A North American release is also planned. Notably, the French release date coincides with Bastille Day—the country’s most significant national holiday—directly targeting the peak summer box office season.
The film tells the story of deep-sea creatures living in an underwater canyon. Allie, a baby squid who dreams of seeing the sun and appearing on TV, and her friends find themselves in danger when an unidentified aircraft crashes into the ocean. This incident sparks an adventure into the unknown world above the water’s surface.
“Ally” marks Director Bong’s debut as a director of a feature-length animated film. The production team includes members from 12 countries, including South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom, and Director Yoo Jae-seon, who directed the film “Sleep,” served as co-screenwriter. The voice cast features Ayo Edebiri, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Finn Wolfhard, and Rachel House, among others. Film director Werner Herzog is also listed among the voice cast.
The production team is also noteworthy. Kim Jae-hyung, who worked on *Toy Story 4* and *Inside Out*, serves as animation supervisor, while Marcin Jakubowski of *Klaus* handles production design. DNEG, the global studio responsible for the visual effects in *Inception* and *Dune*, has also joined the production.
A global distribution network was also established early on. CJ ENM and Pencher Invest will handle distribution in Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, and Indonesia. Co-investor Pathé Films of France will release the film in France, the Benelux countries, Switzerland, and West Africa. In North America, Neon—which distributed *Parasite* locally—has once again teamed up with Director Bong.
Unlike the conventional approach of relying on Director Bong’s reputation to drive international sales, “Ally” is a project designed with the global market in mind from the planning and production stages through to investment and distribution. It remains to be seen whether the “Bong Joon-ho” brand will resonate in the global animation market beyond live-action films.