AceShowbiz - Ally marks the first animated feature from acclaimed filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, who is reuniting with Neon for its North American release. Neon, the company behind Bong’s Oscar-winning thriller Parasite, has secured the rights, continuing its collaboration with the director and CEO Tom Quinn for the sixth time.

The project has been in development since 2019 and centers on the story of Ally, a charming and inquisitive piglet squid living deep in the South Pacific Ocean. Ally dreams of one day reaching the ocean’s surface to bask in the sunlight and star in a wildlife documentary. However, her tranquil life is disrupted when a mysterious aircraft crashes into the sea, plunging her world into peril. Alongside a group of vibrant and loyal yet unlikely friends, Ally embarks on an extraordinary adventure toward the ocean surface. The film draws inspiration from real marine creatures and delves into themes of friendship and bravery, highlighting the profound encounters between humans and ocean life that transform both realms.

The screenplay was co-written by Bong Joon Ho and Jason Yu, whose film Sleep was produced by Bong. Production is overseen by Seo Woo-sik, who has partnered with Bong on two previous films, Mother and Okja. Financing and distribution efforts are managed by CJ ENM, Penture Invest, and Pathé, with Barunson C&C handling production duties.

The film is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2027, with Neon planning a wide theatrical release across North America later that year. This project represents a truly international collaboration, involving creative talents from 12 countries, including South Korea. Key contributors include animation supervisor Jae Hyung Kim, known for his work on Pixar’s Toy Story 4 and Inside Out, supervising producer David Lipman from DreamWorks’ Shrek franchise, and production designer Marcin Jakubowski, recognized for his work on Netflix’s Klaus.

The visual effects and animation will be executed by DNEG, a renowned studio specializing in high-end computer animation. Negotiations for the deal were led by Neon’s SVP Acquisitions Sarah Colvin in partnership with WME, representing the filmmakers.

Internationally, Pathé will distribute Ally in France, Benelux, Switzerland, and West Africa, while CJ ENM and Penture will cover markets including South Korea, Vietnam, Turkey, and Indonesia. Pathé will handle sales worldwide except for Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, where CJ and Penture are responsible for sales efforts.

Following the critical and awards success of Parasite, which earned Neon multiple Oscars including Best Picture and Best International Feature Film, the company aims to position Ally as a strong contender for Best Animated Feature at future awards ceremonies.