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Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets ( or VCTP for short ) is this Summer’s big sci-fi film, and it delivers on multiple levels. Not too long ago, I was able to sit down with director Luc Besson, and the stars of the show Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevinge. During our round table interviews I was able to gather a handful of fun facts about Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets I’d love to share with you all, so get cozy.
Here are 5 Fun Facts About Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets
1. Luc Besson Seeks Inspiration From His Weeping Beech Tree In Norway.
2. Luc Besson Has Always Wanted To Make VCTP, And He Aggressively Cast Dane DeHaan As Valerian.
When asked how Dane DeHaan landed his role as Valerian, Dane responded:
So, for me, it was really like just a dream come true scenario where I got a call saying Luc wanted to meet with me. And he met me at a breakfast spot like two blocks from my house.
He like came to me, and he was like, ‘I’m making this movie I’ve wanted to make my entire life. It’s called Valerian, and I want you to play Valerian, ‘ and it was so surreal I didn’t even really know it was happening, to be honest. He sent me the script a couple of hours after our meeting. He kind of explained to me everything about it, and then I read it. And it was just incredible. ~Luc Besson
3. Dane DeHaan Learned How To Sword Fight Long Before His Sword-fighting Scene In The Film.
When asked if there were any specific martial arts or physical training the stars had to learn for certain scenes, Dane responded:
I was actually pretty stoked because I went to theater school, and we did an insane amount of sword fighting. And I didn’t think it was anything I was going to ever get to use in the real world. So, when I found out there was a sword fight I remember them being like, ‘You know, you have like two months to learn it.’And I was like, ‘Oh no, guys. I got this.’ And they didn’t believe me, and within like three sessions, I totally got the fight. And they were like, ‘Oh wow. You can fight with swords.’ And I was like, ‘Yes, I told you I could fight with swords. ~ Dane DeHaan
4. The Cast Often Used A Bunny And Tennis Ball On Set For Reference.
When asked about how the cast ( Dane and Cara ) worked around the heavy amount of green screen in the film, Cara added:
“There’s a lot of funny moments in the blooper reel because this bunny was so adorable. And so, it wasn’t really acting because it was so easy because you were like, ‘You’re a little bunny.’
But, no, I mean, that was obviously easy because there was a stand in. But, I think it made me happy, to be honest, working on a blue screen all the time because you got to use your imagination so much. I felt like a kid again.
“And also, the only kind of hard bit was sometimes when there was a moment where this stuff is spit in my face, and I have to kind of scream. You know, you’re trying to be frightened of this tennis ball. And you’re like, ‘I’ve got to remember I’m terrified.’ And then, for a moment, you’re like, ‘I’m just screaming at a tennis ball.'”
5. Luc Besson Decided To Not Make Laureline’s Hair Red In VCTP Because Laureline Would Be Compared To Leeloo From The Fifth Element.
When asked why Luc chose not to go with Laureline’s original hair color in the film Luc elaborated:
“Oh, yes. I heard that. There are two reasons. First, I tried, and it doesn’t fit on Cara, to be honest. And the second reason is, as soon as she’s in red, everybody kind of says,’Oh, she looks like Leeloo in The Fifth Element.’ Honestly, as soon as I’ve seen it in red, that’s what I said. I said, ‘Oh my gosh. It’s Leeloo.’ And so, that’s the reason.
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS – In Theaters July 21
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So, there you have it guys. explore the world of Valerian and The City of A Thousand Planets when it hits theaters July 21st. For the most part, it would make a great viewing option for the family, but viewer discretion is advised. Other than that, the film has Oscar-worthy visual effects/costume design along with a great story to tell!
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