By Travis Johnson
Word coming out of San Diego Comic Con is that the presentation for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets absolutely ruled Hall H. Director Luc Besson and his wife and producer, Virginie Besson-Silla, along with stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevigne, were on hand to present seven-odd minutes of footage, which apparently floored the audience with its visual imagination and sweeping SF vistas.
As well it should. Valerian is based on the long-running French sci-fi comics series, Valerian and Laureline, by writer Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mezieres, and as we all know, French sci-fi comics tend toward the visually stunning and narratively insane. As the press release states:
Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives for the government of the human territories 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.
The good folks at Entertainment One hooked us up with a brand-spanking new photo of DeHaan in costume, which only whets the appetite for more. Hopefully we’ll get a full trailer soon. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is due out in 2017.
