Believe it or not, it’s been almost six years since David Bowie passed away. Bowie left behind not only an outstanding discography but a slew of exceptional acting performances, with his range on film almost as wide as in his music.
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Now, the role most associated with Bowie, his star turn as humanoid alien Thomas Jerome Newton in Nicolas Roeg‘s 1976 film, “The Man Who Fell To Earth,” gets a 21st-century update. It’s hard to imagine anyone else than Bowie as the alien-turned-businessman who cannot return to his home planet. However, rest assured, space boys and girls: this is an all-new take on Walter Nevis‘ 1963 novel, one with less alienated dejection and more hope.
Chiwetel Ejiofor takes on the mantle of the visiting alien, apparently not Newton but of the same species. Naomie Harris co-stars as a doctor Ejiofor seeks to persuade her and the rest of humanity toward a higher calling. The show also stars Jimmi Simpson, Clarke Peters, Rob Delaney, Sonya Cassidy, and Annelle Olayele.
The developers of “The Man Who Fell To Earth” are not strangers to science fiction. Alex Kurtzman co-wrote the new “Star Trek” films from 2009 and 2013 and 2011’s “Cowboys & Aliens.” Jenny Lumet, who co-wrote 2017’s “The Mummy” with Kurtzman, is also co-creator of the new show “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” Lumet is also co-executive producer of “Star Trek: Discovery.”
How will audiences take to a new version of “The Man Who Fell To Earth?” In an interview with EW, Lumet and Kurtzmann promise a more uplifting saga than Roeg’s film, so expect a less dour take on the source material. The show hits Showtime in 2022. Check out the trailer below.