Studios shell out millions for director Bong Joon-ho to slam free markets.

The Oscar winner’s latest salvo is “Mickey 17.” Once again, Joon-ho skewers capitalism as he did with “The Host,” “Okja,” “Parasite” and “Snowpiercer.”

He’s like M. Night Shyamalan, but instead of twists his films are known for targeting private enterprise. His movies don’t always score at the box office, but studios are more than happy to write big checks for his visions.

This time, it’ll cost the studio in question plenty.

“Mickey 17” stars Robert Pattinson as a volunteer who risks his life for corporations to study the potential for life on other planets. His character dies and dies again, with his memory installed into each successive Mickey version printed into existence.

By all accounts it’s a withering attack on corporate greed and feckless politicians. The latter are brought to life by Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette.

Joon-ho’s work is art house by design. His tales have a hit-or-miss track record at the box office, typically earning far more overseas.

• “The Host” ($2 million US/$87 global)
• “Snowpiercer” ($4.5 million US/$82 million global)
• “Okja” (Netflix release US/$2 million global)
• “Parasite” ($53 million/$208 million global)

Variety notes “Mickey 17” is off to a subdued start both here and overseas. Recouping the film’s massive investment.- a $118 million budget – seems all but impossible for Warner Bros.

It’s on track to open domestically with $18 million to $20 million this weekend and $20 million to $25 million internationally. That would put its global opening at $40 million to $45 million … it’ll need around $275 million to $300 million at the global box office to turn a profit, which will be a challenge.

Joon-ho sympathizes with the colleagues who helped make his new film possible.

I feel bad for the producers and the marketing team for saying this — I know they have a very hard job. But once I find a particular story or character or situation fascinating, I just go ahead and I create a movie based on it. I really don’t think about the risks. Maybe I can’t.

Must be nice.

He’s shielded from the negative aspects of capitalism, at least for now. At some point his films will have to consistently recoup their investments or studios will stop handing him blank checks.

There’s another path forward for him and fellow storytellers.

Shrink your budgets. Learn from peers like Gareth Edwards and “Godzilla Minus One” director Takashi Yamazaki and learn how to do more with less.

It’s Capitalism 101, a lesson Joon-ho will learn sooner or later. As well he should.

We need more storytellers who tell bold tales that eschew established IPs. Love or loathe Joon-ho’s anti-capitalist screeds, his films are anything but cookie-cutter fare.