Sci-fi Thriller ‘The Astronaut’ Starring Kate Mara Acquired for Release This Fall

From producer Brad Fuller (A Quiet Place, The Purge franchise) comes the sci-fi thriller The Astronaut, and Vertical has acquired U.S. rights with plans to release this Fall.

The Astronaut stars  Kate Mara (The Martian, “American Horror Story”), Laurence Fishburne (John Wick films, The Matrix trilogy, Event Horizon) and Gabriel Luna (Terminator: Dark Fate, “The Last Of Us”).

In the film, “When astronaut Sam Walker (Mara) returns from her first space mission, she’s found miraculously alive in a punctured capsule floating deep off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Expecting to be reunited with her husband (Luna), she finds herself placed under intense NASA surveillance in a high security house for rehabilitation and medical testing under the control of General William Harris (Fishburne). However, when disturbing occurrences begin happening around the property, she fears that something extraterrestrial has followed her back to Earth.”

The sci-fi thriller was written and directed by Jess Varley (Phobias),  making her solo writing and directorial debut.

Varley stated: “I’m forever grateful for the Fullers and Wonder Company’s dedication to the film, and over the moon to be partnering with Vertical on its release. Laurence and Kate gave their all to our nostalgic roller coaster ride with heart concealed behind its scares. We’re excited for audiences to join us on a journey of wonderment where all is not what it seems… even the genre itself.”

“Jess’ direction paired with my son Cameron and Wonder Company’s producing created something truly unique on The Astronaut.  Vertical saw what we all felt – this is a special film from an exciting new team,” said producer Brad Fuller.

“Jess has created a claustrophobic, otherworldly sci-fi thriller anchored by fantastic performances from Kate and Laurence. We can’t wait for The Astronaut to keep U.S. audiences on the edge of their seats until the final frame,” added Vertical Partner Peter Jarowey.

I wrote in my SXSW review, “It’s a concept that Varley mines for psychological tension, playing on the ambiguity of whether the threat is internal or external to drive up the paranoia and fear. Varley’s eventual answer to this looming question audaciously delivers something new, though it struggles to stick its landing.”

Stay tuned for the exact release date when it’s announced.

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