Luc Besson Readies French Graphic Novel Valérian and Laureline for Space Opera, Time Travel Film

Jill Pantozzi

Published: May 12, 2015 04:51 pm

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Luc Besson’s recent sci-fi blockbuster Lucy didn’t have many fans at The Mary Sue but it did make $458 million worldwide. Interestingly enough, The Fifth Element writer/director revealed on Twitter today he’s read try for yet another sci-fi story, this time an adaptation of the French graphic novel, Valérian and Laureline. And he’s already announced the leads!

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The tweet also happened to be Besson’s first:

My first tweet ever! Let’s share a real news! My next film is a big sci-fi: #Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

— Luc Besson (@lucbesson) May 12, 2015

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets will adapt the graphic novel Valérian and Laureline by writers Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mézières which I’m not personally familiar with but certainly sounds right up my alley. First published in 1967 it follows the two title characters, a “spatio-temporal agent” and his super intelligent companion. Laureline is actually from 11th century France and Valerian must take her with him once she realizes he travels through time, much like The Doctor. She also trains to become a spatio-temporal agent.

There’s been over 21 volumes of the series and if Mézières’ name rings a bell it’s because he’s worked with Besson before doing concept art for The Fifth Element.

Besson also told us who would be playing the leads and the intended release year:

Starring @danedehaan & @Caradelevingne. Shooting in December. In theaters 2017. pic.twitter.com/R3STb1aPsf

— Luc Besson (@lucbesson) May 12, 2015

Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne are already in the comic book club. DeHaan having played Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Delevingne set to tackle Enchantress in the Suicide Squad.

And one more to round out his first three tweets — the logo:

First logo #Valerian pic.twitter.com/d68FIJhOuX

— Luc Besson (@lucbesson) May 12, 2015

What do you think? Are you familiar with this graphic novel or does the premise sound cool to you?

(via Deadline)

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Author

Jill Pantozzi

Jill Pantozzi is a pop-culture journalist and host who writes about all things nerdy and beyond! She’s Editor in Chief of the geek girl culture site The Mary Sue (Abrams Media Network), and hosts her own blog “Has Boobs, Reads Comics” (TheNerdyBird.com). She co-hosts the Crazy Sexy Geeks podcast along with superhero historian Alan Kistler, contributed to a book of essays titled “Chicks Read Comics,” (Mad Norwegian Press) and had her first comic book story in the IDW anthology, “Womanthology.” In 2012, she was featured on National Geographic’s "Comic Store Heroes," a documentary on the lives of comic book fans and the following year she was one of many Batman fans profiled in the documentary, "Legends of the Knight."