Dane DeHaan plays a ‘Space Bro’ in ‘VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS’

Courtney Howard // Film Critic

The last time director Luc Besson took us into space, gifting us with a fantastic epic, it was for THE FIFTH ELEMENT. So you can imagine our elation that Besson has headed back there for his latest adventure, VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS. Based on the higely popular graphic novel series, the film adaptation stars Dane DeHaan as the titular hero and Cara Delevingne as super-heroine Laureline.

DeHaan recently told the LA Times,

He’s very much, kind of a ‘space bro.’ He’s a confident dude – he thinks he can get the job done but probably more confident than he should be. That’s where Laureline comes into this. Laureline plays a huge role in the film. Laureline helps save the universe just as much as Valerian does. Valerian would be nothing without Laureline. Although you have a seemingly strong hero of the movie, he would be nothing without Laureline by his side. There’s an extreme amount of luck with his success rate as well.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Rooted in the classic graphic novel series, Valerian and Laureline- visionary writer/director Luc Besson advances this iconic source material into a contemporary, unique and epic science fiction saga.

 

Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives for the government of the human territories charged with maintaining order throughout the universe. Valerian has more in mind than a professional relationship with his partner- blatantly chasing after her with propositions of romance. But his extensive history with women, and her traditional values, drive Laureline to continuously rebuff him.

 

Under directive from their Commander (Clive Owen), Valerian and Laureline embark on a mission to the breathtaking intergalactic city of Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis comprised of thousands of different species from all four corners of the universe. Alpha’s seventeen million inhabitants have converged over time- uniting their talents, technology and resources for the betterment of all. Unfortunately, not everyone on Alpha shares in these same objectives; in fact, unseen forces are at work, placing our race in great danger.