The upcoming release of Yorgos Lanthimos's new film, "Bugonia," an adaptation of Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 South Korean comedy "Save the Green Planet!," has generated significant buzz, not least due to the director's announcement of an impending break from his relentless creative schedule. Lanthimos, known for his unique filmography including "The Favourite," "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," and the Academy Award-winning "Poor Things," confessed to Collider's Steve Weintraub and writer Will Tracy that he "can't keep doing that anymore" after making three films in three years, signaling that "Bugonia" might be his last directorial effort for some time.

"Bugonia" features frequent Lanthimos collaborator Emma Stone, who previously won an Oscar for her role in "Poor Things," alongside Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis. The plot centers on conspiracy theorist Teddy (Plemons) and his cousin Don (Delbis) as they abduct high-profile CEO Michelle (Stone), convinced she is part of an alien conspiracy to destroy the world. This narrative showcases Lanthimos's innovative mind, adapting a compelling premise with his distinctive style.

Lanthimos elaborated on his decision to take a break, citing his demanding pace with films like "Kinds of Kindness," which he shot during the lengthy visual effects period for "Poor Things," and then immediately followed with "Bugonia." He explained that when a script is ready, he feels compelled to pursue it, often forcing himself to find the time to direct immediately after finishing another project. However, he admitted that this continuous creative effort has now reached its limit, and a recharge is necessary.

Writer Will Tracy, who penned the screenplay for "Bugonia" and is also known for "The Menu," shared insights into his career trajectory. He reminisced about his time as a writer and Editor-in-Chief for The Onion before transitioning to working on the first three seasons of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver." Despite acknowledging the quality of the HBO show, Tracy admitted he quickly realized his true passion lay in writing fictional stories and characters rather than non-fiction comedy, stating he felt like he was back in high school doing "geometry homework" every week.

A notable technical aspect of "Bugonia" is the decision to shoot using VistaVision, a choice that stemmed from a positive experience with a scene in "Poor Things." Lanthimos and cinematographer Robbie Ryan committed to the format, utilizing the Wilcam 11 camera. This specific camera was chosen because it is significantly quieter than other VistaVision cameras, enabling the filming of intimate dialogue scenes without excessive noise. Despite the camera's considerable size, Lanthimos felt the commitment was worthwhile, as the large format effectively juxtaposes the characters' focused, claustrophobic experiences in enclosed spaces with a sense of broader scale, advising viewers to see it in a movie theater.

The film's soundtrack also features interesting creative choices. Emma Stone herself played a pivotal role in selecting a specific needle drop, suggesting a song by Chappell Roan for her character, Michelle, after exploring various musical options provided by Lanthimos. Additionally, a last-minute change during the edit led to the inclusion of a Green Day song for a scene where Teddy attempts to determine Michelle's perceived "alien royalty" level, replacing an earlier track that no longer fit the evolving narrative connotations.

"Bugonia" is now playing in select theaters and is set for a wider release everywhere on October 31, offering audiences a chance to experience Lanthimos's latest work before his announced break.