Luc Besson's 'Valerian' Live-Action Film Gets 2017 Release Date
Luc Besson, a French director, writer and producer, is working on his next film, a live-action adaptation of the French graphic novel "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets." The science fiction film recently got a release date - it will be released in IMAX theaters worldwide on July 21, 2017.
Besson, who is known for action and thriller films that are "visually rich," has helmed such films as "La Femme Nikita" in 1990, "The Professional," "The Transporter," "Taken," "The Fifth Element" and "Lucy." His upcoming project, "Valerian," brings him back to his science fiction roots. Aside from directing the film, it was reported that he is also writing the film's screenplay.
According to a report in Screen Rant, "Valerian" is based on the award-winning 1967 French graphic novel "Valerian and Laureline," which is about Valerian, and his red-haired partner Laureline and their adventures as they travel across the universe through space and time. The movie's lead stars have been identified already. Dane DeHaan of "Chronicle" will play Valerian, while Cara Delevigne of "Paper Towns" and "Suicide Squad" will be Laureline. The film's official logo was also recently revealed.
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The film is being financed, produced and will be distributed by Besson's long-time partner film studio, EuropaCorp. This partnership has brought films such as "Take" and "The Transporter" and made them successful international hits. Production is due to start this December, giving Besson and EuropaCorp more than enough time for post-production work which is usually required for science fiction films such as this.
The original "Valerian and Laureline" graphic novel is actually a compilation of a science fiction comics series. The series is considered to be a "landmark in European comics and pop culture" and "traces of its concepts, storylines and designs can be found in sci-fi films such as "Star Wars," "The Fifth Element" and "Avatar."
