Rupert Wyatt’s career trajectory post-2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” has certainly been curious. After the tepid response to his follow-up “The Gambler,” Wyatt has mostly turned towards working in television, directing episodes of “TURN: Washington’s Spies” and ‘The Exorcist‘ series. Most intriguing though is that Wyatt is slated to direct episodes for Showtime’s highly anticipated “Halo” adaptation due in 2020.
Before he dives into those waters, however, Rupert Wyatt has another film on the horizon. His new film, ‘Captive State,’ takes place in a dystopian Chicago ravaged by the effects of an extraterrestrial invasion. Not much else is known about the film other than that very base synopsis.
And the first teaser for the film doesn’t help illuminate much more about the film. Surprisingly, up until the final seconds, there’s a real “The Purge” feel to this footage, leaning into the way the country has changed for the better since “The Legislature” has taken over. Obviously, by those final moments, we can see that the governmental body that is teased is probably extraterrestrial, but the first 45 seconds makes it seem like perhaps the film has a Big Brother/”1984” vibe.
One of the more intriguing sci-fi prospects of 2019, “Captive State” is written by Wyatt and Erica Beeney and boasts a solid ensemble cast led by Goodman and Vera Farmiga, as well as Madeline Brewer (so great on “The Handmaid’s Tale“), Ashton Sanders (“Moonlight“), and KiKi Layne (soon to make waves in “If Beale Street Could Talk“). With an interesting story and such a promising cast, “Captive State” has the potential to be one of the better original sci-fi offerings in recent years.
We will soon find out, as “Captive State” releases on March 29th.
Here are the official synopsis and first teaser:
Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, ‘Captive State’ explores the lives on both sides of the conflict – the collaborators and dissidents.
