Lately, it seems like filmmakers have been taking inspiration from Steven Spielberg‘s classic "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind." Christopher Nolan recently cited it as an influence on his upcoming "Interstellar," and it looks like the movie will also have some fingerprints on Brad Bird‘s "Tomorrowland."
"Another big influence for Jeff Jensen and I when we first started talking about this story was ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind,’ ” screenwriter Damon Lindelof told EW. “Somehow it was able to do what no modern movies are able to do, which is tell a story that doesn’t have a bad guy who is trying to blow up the planet, or giant robots fighting, or lots of karate —though who doesn’t love karate? It was so not plot driven. It was just a pure discovery movie. It was pure what-if. Just that idea of what’s going on here? What does this mean? That was a real jumping off place for a movie like this.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.
Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.
It’s an intriguing touchstone, certainly, and one to consider when watching the first trailer for the film. Starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, and Hugh Laurie, the film tells the story of a teenage girl who stumbles across a mysterious pin that opens the door to a futuristic world, and the hermit inventor she crosses paths with, who may know much more about her discovery than meets the eye.
"Tomorrowland" opens on May 22, 2015. Watch below.
