First Look: Luc Besson’s ‘Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets’

Luc Besson, the filmmaker who has given us The Professional, The Fifth Element and most recently the hit movie Lucy, is at it again with a brand new feature. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is based on a classic graphic novel series titled “Valerian and Laureline.” Now it looks to become the next great contemporary epic science fiction saga. Yes, that is both hyperbolic and a lot of words to describe something that, judging by this trailer, looks pretty dang cool.

What’s interesting to note is beyond its incredible visuals is the use of an original recording by The Beatles. This is important because never before has a Beatles master been licensed for a movie trailer. The song is “Because” and it debuted on the 1969 album Abbey Roadlbum. The a cappella version heard in the trailer made its release debut on The Beatles’ Anthology 3 (1996).

Writer/director Luc Besson has assembled quite the cast for his galactic epic. Besides stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne, supporting stars include Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, and Herbie Hancock.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets arrives in theaters on July 21, 2017.