A new TV spot has been released forValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, giving us a new look atThe Fifth ElementdirectorLuc Besson’s gloriously weird sci-fi epic. The film is based on the comic book series of the same name and takes place in the 28th century, where a duo of special operatives—Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laurelines (Cara Delevingne)—are tasked with maintaining order throughout the human territories. They’re given their toughest assignment yet: traveling to the city of Alpha and unmasking a menace that threatens the entire universe.
This is a fascinating movie for a number of reasons. It marks a return to super weird sci-fi for Besson after action-driven films likeLucy, but it also may appear as a “ripoff” ofGuardians of the Galaxyto those who don’t know the source material predates theGuardianscomics by a couple years. Indeed the film no doubt was greenlit based on audience response toGuardians, but it’ll be interesting to see if audiences at large are in for another weird-looking space epic just a few months afterGuardians 2hit theaters. It’s certainly clear from this TV spot that Besson promisesa lotof new, crazy creatures, so here’s hoping the story is up to snuff.
Check out the newValerianTV spot below. Scripted by Besson, the film also starsClive Owen,Rihanna,Ethan Hawke,John Goodman,Herbie Hancock, andKris Wu.Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planetsopens in theaters on July 21st.
Here’s the official synopsis forValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets:
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.
