The film's opening sequence, set to David Bowie’s "Space Oddity," beautifully chronicles the history of human space exploration and the gradual, peaceful formation of Alpha. Another standout sequence is "Big Market," a multi-dimensional shopping bazaar that requires the characters to wear specialized glasses to interact with a bustling marketplace existing in an alternate dimension. Casting Choices and Character Chemistry
The film was a massive logistical undertaking, produced as an international co-production between France, China, Germany, Belgium, and the United States. The reported production budget was , making Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets the most expensive independent film ever made and the most expensive French film in history. An additional estimated $60 million was spent on marketing, bringing the total investment to a staggering $240 million. Besson’s own production company, EuropaCorp, was heavily leveraged on the film‘s success, with its stock value and financial future tied directly to the performance of this single, gigantic gamble.
A vast, sub-aquatic biome populated by aquatic species, requiring human visitors to navigate via specialized submarines. Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - E...
Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets: An Audacious Sci-Fi Spectacle
Whether you're a fan of the original 1960s comics or a newcomer to the world of space operas, Valerian is a journey worth taking—if only to see the universe through Luc Besson’s kaleidoscopic lens. The film's opening sequence, set to David Bowie’s
The true protagonist of the film is arguably , the titular City of a Thousand Planets. The movie’s iconic opening sequence—set to David Bowie’s "Space Oddity"—chronicles how Alpha evolved from the International Space Station in 1975 into a massive, free-floating metropolis housing thousands of different alien species.
The film is celebrated for its imaginative alien designs and vibrant color palettes. Key locations include: The reported production budget was , making Valerian
: An expert soldier and pilot, Valerian is courageous and effective but often struggles with his personal commitment to Laureline, frequently proposing marriage despite a reputation as a womanizer.