Interstellar, an upcoming feature length film has been described as: "may be the first movie that shows realistic space warp travel." [Sploid]
That in itself is something to get excited about, but add to that a standout cast which is reported to include Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, John Lithgow, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Casey Affleck (Ben's younger brother) and Topher Grace. Matt Damon is also reported to have a role from some sources. With an environmental catastrophy backstory, we just may have a blockbuster in the making.
The film is directed by Christopher Nolan, best known for directing the Dark Knight Batman series and Inception. Scified: Interstellar.
It was filmed in Iceland (which also served as the set for the Alien-franchise related Prometheus) and Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada.
Based on the theories of theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, the Interstellar project was originally spearheaded by Steven Spielberg who tapped Jonah Nolan to write the script, making the transition to Christopher Nolan (Jonah's brother) as director an easier transition. The film is co-financed by Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment.
What's It About?
Much of the plot is being kept under wraps, but it's reportedly based on Thorne's scientific theory that wormholes exist and can be used for time travel. Interstellar is described as depicting "a heroic voyage to the farthest borders of our scientific understanding."
The drama is based on a worldwide food crisis triggered by global climate change and depletion of natural resources. Crops are failing, and corn is the last viable food source being produced in what is rapidly becoming a worldwide dust bowl.
The storyline seems to take the classic path of great hope rising from near hopelessness.
Wikipedia says: "When a wormhole (which theoretically can connect widely-separated regions of spacetime) is discovered, explorers and scientists unite to embark on a voyage through it, transcending the limits of human space travel."
Is there a romantic sub-plot? Possibly. We'll have to wait to see how the story plays out. At the very least there will be an exploration of human relationships in the face of hardship and great discovery...but also potential disaster and unrecoverable loss.
The tagline:
Our destiny lies above us.
A Look at the Trailer
My Thoughts
The closely-guarded plot appears to be a cautionary tale about a future we're right now heading into at the speed of light. Interstellar may be the ultimate If/When statement: If we don't find ways to curtail the destruction of our sole eco-system, it's only a question of when we'll be forced to find drastic means to fix it or face extinction.
As Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield said: "Dinosaurs are extinct because they didn't have a space programme."
Presumably, Interstellar puts forth one possible solution to our current path to extinction.
When Can I See it?
Interstellar is set to be released on November 7, 2014.
What do you think? Will you plan to hit the theaters when Interstellar is released this fall?
Thanks for the preview, Laurie! This sounds really intriguing. I have to admit though I wanted to love Nolan's INCEPTION, I didn't - this despite a supporting role for one of my favorite Irish actors. Anyhow, this one seems like it has a lot of potential!
ReplyDeleteI've seen (different) previews in the theater, which have actually brought tears to my eyes. They play on the theme that in neglecting our destiny in space, we've neglected something fundamental in ourselves. It seems the plot brings that lofty sentiment down to earth by making space our escape hatch from a dying planet. Not exactly a new concept for SF, but well worth exploring onscreen. Can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna and Sharon. I hope the anticipation of of this one will be rewarded. It looks spectacular at first glimpse. I've heard several comparisons to Contact, but this story seems to have a more urgent overtone that discovery for the sake of discovery.
ReplyDeleteOops, that should be THAN discovery for the sake of discovery.
ReplyDelete