It’s going on three years now since acclaimed French director Luc Besson stepped behind the lens for Lucy – despite its wonky science, the ScarJo thriller still managed to score a very impressive $463 million internationally – and later this year, Besson will stage a suitably huge comeback in the form of his latest effort in the sci-fi genre, Valerian and the City Of a Thousand Planets.
Even if you’re not familiar with Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mézières’ cult comic series on which the upcoming space opera is based, you’ve no doubt caught wind of the director’s dogged pursuit to launch Valerian onto the silver screen over the years. It’s been a passion project of his for a while now, and as the film’s July release date draws closer, the studio’s doing everything they can to ensure that Valerian manages to find an audience amidst huge blockbusters like Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Case in point: a brand new TV spot has been released today which teases a universe “beyond imagination.” Featuring Cara Delevingne (Suicide Squad) and Dane DeHaan’s time-travelling agents, the footage here once again manages to dazzle, showing off a beautiful world that’s just waiting to be explored. Whether Besson will take full advantage of that backdrop remains to be seen, but he’s certainly got us intrigued.
Curious to know a little more about the mystical journey that awaits you in Valerian? The extended synopsis below might do the trick:
Valerian and Laureline are special operatives for the government of the human territories charged with maintaining order throughout the universe. Valerian has more in mind than a professional relationship with his partner – blatantly chasing after her with propositions of romance. But his extensive history with women, and her traditional values, drive Laureline to continuously rebuff him.
Under directive from their Commander, Valerian and Laureline embark on a mission to the breathtaking intergalactic city of Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis comprised of thousands of different species from all four corners of the universe. Alpha’s seventeen million inhabitants have converged over time – uniting their talents, technology and resources for the betterment of all. Unfortunately, not everyone on Alpha shares in these same objectives; in fact, unseen forces are at work, placing our race in great danger.
Valerian, also starring Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Herbie Hancock, and Kris Wu, will blast into theaters on July 21st. But do you think Luc Besson’s calculated risk will pay off? Or is City of a Thousand Planets poised to go the route of King Arthur? Let us know your preliminary box office predictions below.
