Director Luc Besson is returning to the Sci-Fi genre with his next project, VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS, based on the popular French comic book series by artist Jean-Claude Mézières and writer Pierre Christin. What is most interesting about this comic book series in particular is that it’s been well-documented that it served as strong inspiration for STAR WARS. Production begins today on the Besson-helmed project which will star Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, Herbie Hancock and Kris Wu. John Goodman is supposedly providing a voice role as well. In the story Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives for the government of the human territories charged with maintaining order throughout the universe. Considering one of Besson’s most beloved films is the Sci-Fi action epic THE FIFTH ELEMENT, this could be a big time return to form for the writer/director. The brief press release is below. The film, which I would bet hard money ends up just being titled VALERIAN, is scheduled to be released July 21, 2017. Let us know if you’re excited.
PRODUCTION COMMENCES ON LUC BESSON’S“VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS”STARRING DANE DEHAAN AND CARA DELEVINGNEBased on Dargaud’s French science fiction graphic novel series “Valerian and Laureline”created by Jean-Claude Mézières and Pierre ChristinJANUARY 6, 2016 (PARIS, FRANCE) – Principle photography has commenced on the Luc Besson written and directed film VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne, slated for release July 21, 2017. Besson based his screenplay on the French science fiction comic series “Valerian and Laureline” created by artist Jean-Claude Mézières and writer Pierre Christin. Also starring in the film is Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, Herbie Hancock and Kris Wu.Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives for the government of the human territories charged with maintaining order throughout the universe.Virginie Besson-Silla is producing the film on behalf of EuropaCorp, while Fundamental Films, BNP Paribas, Orange, Universum Film, Gulf Film, River Road Entertainment, Belga Films and TF1 Films Production are the main co-financiers of the movie.“VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS” begins production January 5, 2016 in Paris.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
