Fly Me to the Moon (2024 film)

This article is about the 2024 American film. For the Hong Kong film of the same name, see Fly Me to the Moon (2023 film).

Fly Me to the Moon
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGreg Berlanti
Screenplay byRose Gilroy
Story by
  • Bill Kirstein
  • Keenan Flynn
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDariusz Wolski
Edited byHarry Jierjian
Music byDaniel Pemberton
Production
companies
Distributed byColumbia Pictures (through Sony Pictures Releasing)
Release dates
  • July 8, 2024 (2024-07-08) (AMC Lincoln Square)
  • July 12, 2024 (2024-07-12) (United States)
Running time
132 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$100 million[2]
Box office$20.6 million[3][4]

Fly Me to the Moon is a 2024 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Greg Berlanti from a screenplay by Rose Gilroy, based on a story by Bill Kirstein and Keenan Flynn. The plot follows the relationship between a marketing specialist (Scarlett Johansson) and the NASA launch director (Channing Tatum) in charge of a fictionalized version of the Apollo 11 mission. Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, and Woody Harrelson also star.

First announced in March 2022, the film was originally set to star Johansson and Chris Evans, with Jason Bateman directing. Tatum and Berlanti replaced Evans and Bateman, respectively, that July, and filming began in Atlanta, Georgia in October.

Fly Me to the Moon premiered on AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on July 8, 2024, and was released theatrically in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing on July 12. The film received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $20 million worldwide.

Premise[edit]

During the 1960s Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, a relationship develops between the NASA director in charge of the Apollo 11 launch and the marketing specialist brought in to fix NASA's public image and stage a "back-up" fake Moon landing.[5]

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

In March 2022, Apple Studios announced they had acquired the rights to produce a movie set in the backdrop of the Space Race, then titled of Project Artemis, for more than $100 million. Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans were also announced as starring in the film, with Jason Bateman directing.[7] In May, Bateman said the working title Project Artemis was likely to change.[8] He left the project the following month, citing creative differences,[9] and was later replaced by Greg Berlanti, his first directorial effort since 2018's Love, Simon.[10]

Screenwriter Rose Gilroy referenced the book Marketing the Moon for her writing. She says the book "is about the original ads that were used, and how sci-fi was woven into the minds of the American people" using genre books and movies "That was instrumental. It was endlessly interesting to learn all the ways they sold" the Apollo 11 mission.[11]

The search for a new director and Berlanti's availability changed the production schedule, forcing Evans to drop out as well. In July, Channing Tatum entered into negotiations to replace him.[12] In September, Jim Rash joined the cast.[13] Ray Romano, Anna Garcia, and Woody Harrelson would be added in the following months.[14][15][16]

Principal photography began on October 27, 2022, in Atlanta, with a casting call issued seeking extras to play NASA employees and FBI agents.[17] By December 21, 2023, with a release date of July 12, 2024 set, the film was no longer titled Project Artemis.[18] In April 2024, the film's new title was revealed to be Fly Me to the Moon,[5][19] and Daniel Pemberton was confirmed to compose the score for the film.[20]

Release[edit]

The film was initially slated to be released direct-to-streaming on Apple TV+ but was redirected to theatrical following strong test screenings.[21] Following their partnership on Napoleon, Apple entered into another agreement with Sony Pictures to distribute the film in cinemas in December 2023,[22] after both Warner Bros. declined to bid for theatrical distribution rights with Paramount saying they already had full release schedules. Sony Pictures scheduled the film for a theatrical release in the United States and Canada on July 12, 2024.[23]

The film premiered at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on July 8, 2024.[24]

Reception[edit]

Box office[edit]

In the United States and Canada, Fly Me to the Moon was released alongside Longlegs, and was projected to gross around $12 million from 3,300 theaters in its opening weekend.[25] The film made $4.5 million on its first day, including $875,000 from Thursday night previews.[26][27] The film grossed below expectations during its first weekend, earning $9.4 million at the domestic box office and $9 million internationally from 52 markets.[27][28]

Critical response[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 66% of 188 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "Sustained by Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum's screwball chemistry even when its plotting strains credulity, this throwback romance is a pleasant enough trip to the moon and back."[29] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 52 out of 100, based on 48 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[30] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale, while those polled by PostTrak gave it an 86% overall positive score.[27]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fly Me To The Moon (12A)". BBFC. June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (May 1, 2024). "Without Barbenheimer 2.0, Hollywood Needs Deadpool 3, Despicable Me 4 and Other Sequels to Heat Up Summer Box Office". Variety. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Fly Me to the Moon – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "Fly Me to the Moon". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  5. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 4, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum Apple Original Film Gets Title". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  6. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 8, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum Blast Off In Apple Original Films' First Trailer For 'Fly Me To The Moon' – CinemaCon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Wiseman, Andreas; Kroll, Justin (March 31, 2022). "'Avengers' Co-Stars Scarlett Johansson & Chris Evans Set To Lead Red-Hot Package 'Project Artemis'; Apple Makes Massive Deal For Jason Bateman-Directed Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  8. ^ Lang, Brent (May 26, 2022). "Jason Bateman on Saying Goodbye to 'Ozark', Fate of the Byrdes and His Directing Future". Variety. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 7, 2022). "Jason Bateman Exits Scarlett Johansson-Chris Evans Film 'Artemis' Due To Creative Differences". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Barnes, Brooks (July 11, 2024). "Can Movies for Grown-Ups Still Sell Tickets? 'Fly Me to the Moon' Is a Test". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Patrick Ryan (July 14, 2024). "Is 'Fly Me to the Moon' based on a true story? What's behind fake moon landing movie".
  12. ^ Kit, Borys (July 14, 2022). "Channing Tatum, Greg Berlanti Joining Scarlett Johansson for Apple's Project Artemis". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  13. ^ Grobar, Matt (September 14, 2022). "Project Artemis: Jim Rash Boards Greg Berlanti's Space Race Pic For Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  14. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 31, 2022). "Ray Romano Joins Greg Berlanti-Helmed Apple Space Race Project Artemis". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  15. ^ Grobar, Matt (November 8, 2022). "Project Artemis: Newcomer Anna Garcia Lands Breakout Role In Greg Berlanti Apple Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  16. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 10, 2023). "Project Artemis: Woody Harrelson Rounds Out Cast Of Greg Berlanti-Directed Space Race Pic For Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  17. ^ Roberts, Michele (October 10, 2022). "ENTERTAINMENT Casting for PROJECT ARTEMIS". CW 69. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  18. ^ Saperstein, Pat (December 21, 2023). "Sony Dates Scarlett Johansson-Channing Tatum Film, George Clooney and Brad Pitt's 'Wolfs' for 2024". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  19. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (April 8, 2024). "'Fly Me to the Moon' Trailer: Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum Fake the Moon Landing for NASA in 1969 Romantic-Comedy". Variety. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  20. ^ "Daniel Pemberton Scoring Greg Berlanti's 'Fly Me to the Moon'". Film Music Reporter. April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  21. ^ Debruge, Peter (July 6, 2024). "'Fly Me to the Moon' Review: A Rocket's Red Glare Gives Proof to Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum's Screen Chemistry". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  22. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 13, 2023). "Sony Wins Global Theatrical Distribution Deal For Apple's George Clooney & Brad Pitt Pic Wolfs & Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum's Project Artemis". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  23. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 21, 2023). "Sony Dates Apple's 'Wolfs' & 'Project Artemis' For 2024". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  24. ^ Greene, Jordan; Vasquez, Ingrid (July 9, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost Join Channing Tatum on the Red Carpet for Fly Me to the Moon Premiere". People. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  25. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 9, 2024). "Gru To Rule With $33M+ As 'Fly Me To The Moon', 'Longlegs' Provide Depth To Weekend Box Office – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2024). "Box Office: 'Longlegs' Makes $3 Million in Previews, Surpassing 'Immaculate' to Set Neon Record". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  27. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 14, 2024). "How Neon Made Longlegs Sexy At Box Office With Distrib's Record Opening Of $22M+, Best Start For Original Horror Pic YTD – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  28. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 14, 2024). "Despicable Me 4 Rises To $438M WW, Inside Out 2 Grins With $1.35B, A Quiet Place: Day One Tops $200M & Twisters Starts Swirling Early Overseas – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "Fly Me to the Moon". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  30. ^ "Fly Me to the Moon". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved July 17, 2024.

External links[edit]

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