Bugonia's Screenwriter Explains the Many Surprising Twists of the Latest Science Fiction Movie

Bugonia screenwriter the writer has a hazy memory of what transpires in Save the Green Planet!. This is somewhat unexpected, given that he wrote the script for the director’s latest reimagining of the original 2003 film. Instead of studying the source material for ideas, the screenwriter behind his previous work watched the movie once, took a few notes, and started the process.

“I’ve only seen Save the Green Planet once,” the screenwriter explains. “My memory was foggy on the film in great detail. I didn't want to feel as though I had to be slavishly following or recreating or honoring someone else's vision. The fairest thing to both films was to have them each stand on their own.”

While the premise of a mentally unstable man (the actor in Bugonia) who abducts a pharmaceutical executive he’s certain is an alien in disguise is pretty much the identical in each movie, the differences are considerable. To start, the writer re-envisioned the lead role, originally male in the director's first version, as a woman. (The director cast his frequent collaborator Emma Stone in the role.) The conclusions vary a bit too, in the way they address their shared core mystery: Is this person an extraterrestrial or not really?

Tracy believes that answer is somewhat irrelevant.

“I wasn't really focused on the surprise element,” he says. “My intention wasn't for the film to just be a gadget that performs one surprise, and then once it does that surprise, it's like: Alright, so what's next?”

However, Tracy has plenty to say on the topic. The interview with the writer touched on Bugonia’s ending and what it all means, along with the methods he and the director worked together to execute those surprises.

Warning: Complete details follow for the conclusion of the movie.

Therefore, is Emma Stone an extraterrestrial or not an alien?

In brief: Yes.

Just like in Save the Green Planet, the conclusion of this version reveals that the CEO, a big pharma CEO named Michelle Fuller, is actually alien royalty in hiding. After tricking her captor Teddy (the actor) into killing himself using her advanced device, Fuller transports to her alien vessel.

The fact that this comes as a surprise is a proof to her performance. During the 118-minute movie, she maintains suspense through a layered performance that may take multiple viewings to comprehend entirely.

“Emma talked a lot about how it was the first time she had to give a performance where she felt she had to be conscious of people viewing it again. What the repeat viewers are going to perceive,” Tracy says. "She knew the second time a person watches this movie, They are aware I am conscious of… understand?”

He pauses, before adding, “Thus, her performance needed to reflect this awareness in her performance.”

Creating the Andromedons and their vessel

Once the CEO finally does reveal her true nature, we get a quick look of her ship and other extraterrestrials before Bugonia concludes. Their ship has a distinct appearance, which Tracy shares was intended to look like a marine animal while avoiding high-tech visuals.

“[The director] was really interested in almost like a jellyfish-inspired shape for the vessel, something quite organic,” Tracy comments.

They should feel strangely kind of tribal or ancient.

The aliens' clothing is equally fascinating as their ship: rounded robes made from large, ropey threads. Again, the aim was to defy conventional science fiction.

“Regarding the attire, rather than being advanced, they [were meant to|aimed to] appear strangely somewhat tribal or basic, and yet also highly decorative and not primitive, because it's a very detailed and elegant creation on those unusual woven outfits,” the writer states. He adds that the director “viewed it as being a extremely old society. He wasn't into the idea of anything being sleek and silver, or some ultra-modern cosmic vision.”

The conclusion of the Earth (or just humanity)

Perhaps the most significant change between Bugonia and Save the Green Planet is that in the original Korean movie, the aliens react to their leader's kidnapping and abuse by blowing up the world. This adaptation takes a slightly subtler method, with its beings opting to eliminate all mankind, while keeping the planet and its remaining creatures intact.

“My intention to do in the screenplay was a vision of Earth post-human existence,” Tracy explains.

In the film's conclusion, we see a series of shots of life across the planet. All humans lie dead where they were standing moments earlier, but the world continues. How viewers, are meant to make of all this is open to discussion. Does the conclusion of the film hopeful or bleak? Is humanity fated to perish or deserving of rescue? Is the planet be improved without us?

The screenwriter does not wish to provide a clear resolution either way.

“Certain viewers see it as a extremely dark conclusion, or a sad finale, a despairing outcome,” he states. “Different audiences see it as being a strangely optimistic or happy ending. In my opinion there are various interpretations to read it.”

The film is in limited theatrical release now, with a wide release on Halloween.