‘Mortal Engines’ Trailer: Peter Jackson’s Latest Features A Post-Apocalypse Where Cities Are Mobile

Peter Jackson is back, with his latest, greatest fantasy adventure.

Well, he’s not directing this one, but for all intents and purposes, “Mortal Engines” is most definitely a Peter Jackson film. The acclaimed filmmaker behind the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and to a lesser extent “The Hobbit,” co-wrote and produced this new post-apocalyptic fantasy film. However, instead of directing it himself, he hired Christian Rivers to helm, who has worked extensively with Jackson in the past.

All that being said, the first full trailer for “Mortal Engines” definitely has the feel of an epic Peter Jackson film. In the film, after civilization, as we know it, is destroyed, cities become mobile war machines, with London being the big bad here. Yes, the city of London is on wheels and goes around attacking smaller cities and towns. It sounds crazy, but the footage seems pretty fun.

The cast of “Mortal Engines” features Hugo Weaving, Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Jihae, Ronan Raftery, Leila George, Patrick Malahide and Stephen Lang.

“Mortal Engines” will hit theaters on December 14.

Here’s the synopsis:

Thousands of years after civilization was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, humankind has adapted and a new way of living has evolved. Gigantic moving cities now roam the Earth, ruthlessly preying upon smaller traction towns. Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan)—who hails from a Lower Tier of the great traction city of London—finds himself fighting for his own survival after he encounters the dangerous fugitive Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar). Two opposites, whose paths should never have crossed, forge an unlikely alliance that is destined to change the course of the future. Mortal Engines is the startling, new epic adventure directed by Oscar®-winning visual-effects artist Christian Rivers (King Kong). Joining Rivers are The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies three-time Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who have penned the screenplay. The Universal and MRC adaptation is from the award-winning book series by Philip Reeve, published in 2001 by Scholastic. On board as producers are Zane Weiner (The Hobbit trilogy), Amanda Walker (The Hobbit trilogy) and Deborah Forte (Goosebumps), as well as Walsh and Jackson. Ken Kamins (The Hobbit trilogy) joins Boyens as executive producer. Universal will distribute the film worldwide.