Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is the first in an obscure graphic novel series that’s been a favorite of visionary filmmaker Luc Besson since his childhood. Now, the 5th Element director is adapting the story into the biggest film Europe’s ever produced: a CG laden epic with a budget of 180 million (figured in US dollars).
Photo Credit: Teaser-Trailer.com
Why did I not know about this amazing sci-fi time-traveling comic story existed? I feel ashamed. Just a glimpse at the trailer leaves me star-struck. As a graphic novel series, this story lends itself to Besson’s sweeping visual style. The trailer, fresh pressed, shows a tantalizing array of intergalactic settings with dream-like surrealism that makes Avatar look tame.
The film is based on the cult sci-fi graphic novel series Valérian and Laureline by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières’, and centers on the adventures of two galactic cops with a fiery relationship. One is a lusty playboy, the other a no nonsense heroine who continually halts the advances of her partner. Sexual tension aside, the two have a great pairing and are trusted with the mission of saving a corrupt metropolis populated with nearly every species of life in the universe from political and social collapse.
Another cloying story element is the third main character- a ship called the Intruder. You can see it briefly in the trailer as the duo jump aboard its gang-plank to avoid enemy fire. Not only is it imbued with a personality all its own, the Intruder can travel in time and space. (The Doctor Who fan in me just leaped for joy to see a TARDISesque vessel in another context.)
Photo Credit: ComingSoon.net
Thankfully, we only have to wait until July 2017 to see Besson’s colossal vision on the big screen. I don’t normally drop the money for IMAX, but I may search the couch cushions for this one. It’ll be a nice change to see a non-franchise, fresh storyline with beautiful imagery and strong characterization to match. And now I have my reading list for the rest of the year.
Check out the trailer below and prepare to have your mind blown.
http://valerianmovie.com/
Hello there, I am Robin Lee from the Maxfield Parrish Motif Project. I sadly filmed AND documented the destruction of the iconic estate art studio of pop culture artist, Maxfield Parrish. It was truly a terrible thing to watch, this was the home and art studio of a master artist and his beautiful model who will later be linked to Star wars films. George Lucas said that it was the art work of Maxfield Parrish that directly inspired the feel and look of his Star Wars films, The Lucas Effect, page 282. Imagine if you could be at the art studio of Maxfield Parrish, I was and it was an amazing place to be. I have worked on this story and research for over twenty years and have uncovered so many epic discoveries. ** I know now that Star Wars truly began in the art studio of Maxfield Parrish around 1904. I need help getting this story global so that all can weigh in, it has merit and the force, please pass it on and podcast about it, Peace, Robin Lee, Maine — look all of this up on the internet, it is so fantastic and important.