Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, — Behind-the-Scenes Featurette

added: Mon, Jun 19th '17

Discover the comic book inspiration behind filmmaker Luc Besson's new fantasy sci-fi epic "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets."

The movie has been a longtime passion project for Besson, who, since childhood, has been a huge fan of "Valerian and Laureline," the 1970s French comic book series on which the film is based.

"When I was working on 'The Fifth Element' with [renowned French illustrator Jean-Claude] Mezieres, the main designer from 'Valerian', " says Besson in a new behind-the-scenes featurette. "He was the one saying, Why don't you do 'Valerian' -- why do this 'Fifth Element' thing?"

Besson goes on to explain that the highly influential science-fiction comic book was filled with a variety of alien species and out-of-this-world environments, which made it nearly impossible to recreate for a film audience. But, then, something happened that made the impossible possible.

"[James Cameron's groundbreaking sci-fi blockbuster] 'Avatar' arrived," opines Besson. "And 'Avatar' makes everything possible. There's no limit anymore."

Starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as space-traveling agents on a treacherous mission to save the galaxy's greatest metropolis, "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" opens everywhere on July 21st.

synopsis:
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is the visually spectacular new adventure film from Luc Besson, the legendary director of The Professional, The Fifth Element and Lucy, based on the ground-breaking comic book series which inspired a generation of artists, writers and filmmakers.

In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha -- an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other. There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.

directed by Luc Besson

starring Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, Clive Owen, Alain Chabat, Mathieu Kassovitz, Kris Wu, Herbie Hancock, Rutger Hauer, John Goodman

release date July 21, 2017

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Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets