Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Director: Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Lucy)
Based on: Valérian and Laureline (French comic series by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières)
Genre: Sci-Fi/Action
Budget: $177–209 million
Box Office: $225 million worldwide
Release Date
-
July 21, 2017 (France)
-
July 26, 2017 (United States)
Main Cast & Characters
-
Dane DeHaan as Major Valerian – A cocky but skilled space agent.
-
Cara Delevingne as Sergeant Laureline – Valerian’s sharp-witted partner.
-
Clive Owen as Commander Arün Filitt – A high-ranking military officer with secrets.
-
Rihanna as Bubble – A shape-shifting entertainer who aids Valerian.
-
Ethan Hawke as Jolly the Pimp – A flamboyant underworld figure.
-
Herbie Hancock as Defence Minister
-
Kris Wu as Sergeant Neza – A fellow soldier.
Plot Summary
In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian and Laureline are sent to investigate a dark threat at the heart of Alpha, a sprawling metropolis housing millions of species. Their mission uncovers a conspiracy involving a forgotten civilization and a hidden war crime.
Key Features
-
Visual Spectacle: Praised for its stunning CGI and imaginative alien worlds.
-
Mixed Reviews: Critics praised its visuals but criticized its script and pacing (49% on Rotten Tomatoes).
-
Influences: Inspired Star Wars and other sci-fi classics (the comics debuted in 1967)
Trivia
-
One of the most expensive European films ever made.
-
Rihanna’s dance sequence took 2 weeks to film.
-
Luc Besson wrote the script in the 1990s but waited for technology to catch up.