Besson steps into a new universe
The universe of Valerian makes its debut in Bangkok this week through the trailer for “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”, directed by action filmmaker Luc Besson.
Though probably unknown to Thais, “Valerian” has been Europe’s most-read sci-fi comic for the last 50 years.
In the movie, dark forces are threatening Alpha, a vast metropolis and home to species from a thousand planets. Special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevigne) must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.
Besson said at last year’s New York Comic Con that the first woman he ever fell in love with was Laureline. He was just 10 at the time so bringing the heroine to the big screen really is a childhood dream come true. Costing 197 million Euros (Bt7.68 billion), it has to be one of the most expensive films ever made.
Besson added that James Cameron’s film “Avatar” showed him that when it comes to special effects, anything is possible.
Besson once talked with Jean-Claude Mezieres, co-creator of the original Valerian comics series, about making the movie but the two agreed that with only 10-12 human characters in the story and the rest major aliens, the visual effects would be a nightmare.
Mezieres worked with Besson on “The Fifth Element” and is also collaborating on “Valerian”.
The film is scheduled for release in July. Check out the trailer at Facebook @sahamongkolmajor.
