STX Entertainment has released the new trailer for Luc Besson’s Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets! You can watch the Valerian trailer below. We also had the chance to watch the trailer in a theater in stunning 3D, then speak to both Besson and star Dane DeHaan.
“You have the big story, which is the 28th century with aliens everywhere, a crazy story,” Besson told us. “Then you have the little story about his guy and this girl. He desperately wants to get the girl, and the girl is very old fashioned. She says, ‘I will have one man, he will be the father of my kids and that’s it. The rest… not interested!’ It’s the story of the life of everyone. Is the guy gonna get the girl? You can be in space, you can be in the 12th century, in England, in India, wherever. I love the little story too, and it’s the mix of the two that makes it very unique. Everybody can relate, ’cause even if someone doesn’t explicitly like sci-fi, at least it’s funny, and if you like them you want to know whether they get together or not. It’s a very old-fashioned story and a very eccentric, hyper space story.”
DeHaan was also excited about the film’s unique look and feel, which was achieved without the aid of American studio financing.
“We wanted it to have a lightness to it, for sure, and for it to be completely entertaining,” remarked DeHaan of the film’s comic book feel. “We’re not going for the dark, gritty version of ‘Valerian,’ but that’s Luc’s aesthetic. I think it has an aesthetic of its own that only Luc could achieve, and that would be difficult to achieve within an American studio system. There’s just something so unique and singular about Luc’s voice and that could only be done given these circumstances. It was cool for me too! It was fun to just be the hero! Valerian is a lot less complicated than some of the characters I’ve played in the past. I think that’s why this was the most fun I’ve had making a movie.”
Besson seemed optimistic about the film’s chances at the cinema this summer, and has even started penning ideas for a Valerian sequel.
“I’m writing already,” said Besson of a potential sequel, which will pull from several of the 29 volumes in the comic book’s history. “I like to be ready in case it’s working. If it doesn’t work you’re always ready… there’s nothing to prep. (laughs) But if we’re lucky and people like the film, then I would love to do a second one for sure. I love the characters. They are fun together.”
Based on the classic European graphic novel series, “Valerian and Laureline,” (specifically the sixth book, “Ambassador of the Shadows”), Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as the title characters, special operatives for the government of the human territories and 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 (Clive Owen), 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.
Written and directed by Luc Besson and produced by Virginie Besson-Silla, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets also stars Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Herbie Hancock and Kris Wu.
A EuropaCorp production, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets opens in theaters on July 21, 2017.
