‘The Message’: Could This Sci-Fi Film Be The Next ‘Arrival’?
In 2016, Denis Villeneuve’s emotional science fiction dramaArrivaltopped /Film’s collective list of thebest films of the year. So you’ll have to forgive us if we seem uncommonly excited about the idea ofArrivalproducerShawn Levyand his 21 Laps production company reuniting with FilmNation Entertainment for a new sci-fi movie calledThe Message, which, likeArrival, is an adaptation of an acclaimed short story. Could this mark the first moment of awareness of /Film’s future favorite movie of 2020 or 2021?
The Hollywood Reporterbrings word that after the Oscar-nominated success ofArrival, 21 Laps and FilmNation are teaming up once again forThe Message, which is based on authorKen Liu’s short story.
I haven’t read Liu’s original source material, but this sounds like it has the potential to be emotionally devastating in a way similar toArrival –although, interestingly, one key aspect of the plot sounds like it could almost beArrival’s inverse.SpoilersforArrival: that film was about Amy Adams' scientist character who, despite being able to see into the future and learning that her yet-to-be-born daughter is going to die when the girl is still young, goes forward with her decision to marry her husband and have the child anyway. From this description ofThe Message, it sounds like this archeologist finds a family member instead of losing one, all amid some sci-fi flourishes.
Embarrassingly, I’ve never heard ofThe Messageauthor Ken Liu before right now, but THR calls him “one of the most prominent sci-fi and fantasy authors of his generation,” and says that he’s won Nebula, Hugo and World Fantasy awards for his writing. Definitely adding him to my reading list.
A screenwriter and director are currently being sought for this movie, and Levy and his producing partner Dan Levine released a statement promising “another grounded, provocative and emotionally resonant piece of science fiction.” Bring it on.
(Liu’s header photo by Lisa Tang Liu; Magazine cover is Interzone Magazine, in whichThe Messagefirst appeared.)
