James Gray Calls Upcoming Sci-Fi Epic 'Ad Astra' A "Giant Mash-Up" Of 'Apocalypse Now' & '2001'

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Without a doubt, one of our most anticipated films of 2019 is James Gray’s upcoming sci-fi epic, “Ad Astra.” With stars like Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and Ruth Negga, how could it not be? And in a new interview, Gray gives us more information about the film, including his influences for making it, all of which makes us want this film that much more. May 2019 can’t get here soon enough.

READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2019

During an interview for TIFF, Gray talked about the basic premise of the story, which has been largely kept under wraps throughout its production. The story revolves around Roy McBride, played by Pitt, as he ventures out into space to contact his lost father.

“His father may or may not be out there on Neptune doing very bad things and they send him out there to communicate with him,” says Gray.

He continues, “And it’s very ‘Heart of Darkness.’ It’s sorta like, if you got ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘2001’ in a giant mash-up and you put a little [Joseph] Conrad in there and you hope its as good. But it’s probably not. I’m being silly. But those were the influences.”

Gray goes on to explain what attracted him to “Ad Astra,” saying, “It’s my attempt to kind of treat that father/son story…which is so central to Western culture, in hopefully a new way.”

READ MORE: Filmmaker James Gray Says Cannes Is “Stuck In 1968” & “Protectors Of The Status Quo”

Sadly, we are still a ways off until the film hits theaters. During the conversation, Gray does talk about the process of finishing the film, which he says he’s still deep into editing on. And judging by his comment about the film’s release date, the filmmaker isn’t rushing things.

Gray jokes, “It’ll be done sometime in the next four years or so. [Laughs]”

Gray better get back to work because like it or not, his “Ad Astra” is expected in theaters May 24, 2019. Watch the full conversation here.