While there are plenty of big, international movie markets around the world, nobody spends quite like Hollywood. However, Luc Besson‘s “Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets” — a 100% French production — has dropped the kind of coin that usually sends a shiver up the spine of movie executives.
Cineuropa reveals that with a final price tag of €197.47 million (about $210 million U.S.), the ambitious graphic novel adaptation is officially the most expensive to have ever been made in France. And it’s probably safe to assume that cost is before you factor in the marketing push going into the picture. Not only has Besson’s film broken the record, it has smashed it, besting by some measure the previous picture to hold the top slot: “Asterix at the Olympic Games” which cost €78 million (about $82 million).
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So, this film — which brings together a cast including Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Herbie Hancock, and Kris Wu along with a ton of special effects — will likely have to earn some serious coin to break even. The question is whether or not ‘Valerian,’ which seems to have struck a chord with fanboy audiences, can extend its appeal to mainstream moviegoers. It’s certainly got some fierce competition, opening the same weekend as Christopher Nolan‘s “Dunkirk,” and sandwiched between the launches of “War For the Planet Of The Apes” and “Atomic Blonde.” The film is definitely going to be one of the more interesting stories of the summer, no matter what happens.
“Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets” opens on July 21st.
