FilmmakerJames Grayhas been expanding in scope over the last few years, from the brilliant and haunting period storyThe Immigrantto the adventure-tinged drama ofThe Lost City of Z, but back in February word came that Gray was gearing up to expand his horizons considerably by going full sci-fi. Gray co-wrote a film calledAd AstrawithEthan Rossthat revolves around a slightly autistic engineer whose father left 20 years ago on a one-way mission to Neptune to find signs of extra-terrestrial intelligence. As an adult, he now sets out to travel the solar system to find his father and discover why his mission failed.
WithLost City of Znow hitting theaters, word came that Gray was eyeingAd Astra—which has been in the works for a year—as his next film, withBrad Pittpotentially starring no less. So when Collider’s own Steve Weintraub spoke with Gray at the press day forLost City of Z, he asked ifAd Astrais indeed his next project with Pitt in the starring role:
“Yes, yes, and yes. I’m terrified by it. The science-fiction genre is so tricky because there are elements of fantasy usually involved, and there are also fantastical elements. What I’m trying to do is the most realistic depiction of space travel that’s been put in a movie and to basically say, ‘Space is awfully hostile to us.’ It’s kind of aHeart of Darknessstory about traveling to the outer edge of our solar system. I have a lot of hopes for it but it is certainly ambitious… It starts shooting July 17th, so not too far away. I’m filled with terror, but that’s fine (laughs).”
Those are bold words, especially asChristopher Nolanjust took a very “realistic” approach to sci-fi with 2014’sInterstellar, but Gray’s work is truly singular so there’s no worry he’ll be treading familiar territory here. And assuming he reunites with cinematographerDarius Khondjion the project as he has on his last two films to stunning results, that adds yet another layer of excitement forAd Astra.
As for Pitt’s involvement, it’s certainly curious and all but confirms this is his next movie. The actor has been trying to getWorld War Z 2off the ground withDavid Fincherpossibly directing, but with Paramount just having set a new studio head, it’s possible Pitt will continue work on developingWorld War Z 2(and hopefully securing Fincher) as he sets out to begin principal photography onAd Astrain July. He most recently starred inRobert Zemeckis’ romantic WWII dramaAlliedand leads the satirical filmWar Machinefor directorDavid Michod, hitting Netflix next month, but venturing into the sci-fi realm would be a serious change of pace for the impeccably talented performer.
Ad Astraalso culminates years of courtship between Pitt and Gray, as the two have been trying to work together for quite a while now. Pitt was intending to star inLost City of Zbut had to drop out, although he was still intimately involved in the film as a producer. He and Gray have also been developingThe Grey Manas a potential project together, butAd Astrawill be the first time Pitt works with Grey in front of the camera.
With a glut of same-y blockbusters hitting theaters year round, the prospect of Pitt working with auteur directors like Gray and Fincher on large-scale movies is mighty exciting, not to mention refreshing. Here’s hopingAd Astramakes it into theaters by next year.
