Luc Besson’s ‘Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets’ Trailer Teases More Aliens Than ‘Avatar’

A new trailer for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets has just been dropped, bringing an even more compelling look at the adventures of Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) than had been experienced in the first two trailers. Based on the French comic book series Valérian and Laureline, written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a brilliant and imaginative melding of fantasy and science fiction from the same director who thrilled moviegoers with The Fifth Element (1997) and Lucy (2014).

Luc Besson Brings Valérian and Laureline To Stunning Life In Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

For those sci-fi fans looking for something with a wild array of exotic-looking aliens, The Verge reports that they need look no further than the third and final trailer for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Following the source material, the Luc Besson adventure follows Valérian and Laureline, two mismatched special operatives traveling through both time and space to keep the universe safe. Their current assignment has them guarding the safety of the City of a Thousand Planets; a task made that much more perilous by the threat of a planet-eating creature.

While Valérian and Laureline are certainly the stars of the film, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets‘ real charm comes from the collection of odd, adorable, and, at times, intimidating aliens populating the City of a Thousand Planets. Previously Besson estimated that the film would feature 15 percent human characters and a whopping 85 percent aliens. A look at the new trailer suggests Luc was not exaggerating with his estimate.

The only thing more exotic in the Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets trailer than the various alien races are the locales created to bring the City of a Thousand Planets to life. Melding tropical vistas with bustling cityscapes, Luc Besson has created a metropolis to rival some of the most alluring spaceports of both Star Trek and Star Wars.

There’s More To Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Than Cute Aliens And Vacation Hot Spots

There’s much to see in the new trailer from Luc Besson’s latest science fiction thriller, and as Blastr details, the visual effects are just a trivial attraction, compared to the action and plot. Set in the 28th century, the film follows Valérian and Laureline, as they seek to protect the City of a Thousand Planets, and from the very beginning of the trailer, we see that it’s a worthy goal.

As the Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets trailer opens, a lean, bald alien with pale blue skin is seen running along the beach, as another odd-looking alien sits perched on her shoulder. A few seconds later, that same alien is dreamily gazing out at the horizon, but what might pass for a vacation destination advertisement is darkened by a looming threat off in the distance. As she gazes more intently, the alien seems to realize those dark spots are rapidly approaching, presumably because they’re unwanted visitors of some kind.

A few shots later in the Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets trailer, those dark spots are revealed as alien visitors to the prosperous intergalactic oasis. Still, there’s little indication that they pose a threat, but that all changes rather quickly.

Adding to that threat, another arrival strikes fear into the hearts of the residents of this peaceful party planet, as an entity of unknown origins arrives to wreak havoc. Fortunately, Valérian and Laureline aren’t far off, and they soon arrive to take on these threats and return the City of a Thousand Planets back to its normal hedonistic nature.

Unfortunately, Valérian and Laureline are pressured to eliminate these threats on a deadline. In one scene, their commanding officer, Arün Filitt (Clive Owen), gives them just 10 hours to return peace to the planet. Space battles, exotic villains, and sea adventures tease that Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets will bring audiences on a wild, fun ride before it’s all over, but in the end, will Valérian and Laureline win the day?

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets opens in theaters on July 21.

[Featured Image by STX Entertainment]