The phrase “it’s big in Europe” might draw some epic eye rolls from those in the States, but in the case ofMortal Engines, it’s true.
AuthorPhilip Reevereleasedthe first of a quartet of young-adult sci-fi novelsin 2001 and sparked a massive hit — so massive, thatThe Lord of the RingsdirectorPeter Jacksonwanted to make it his next film adaptation in 2008. As he explained to reporters on theMortal Enginesset in New Zealand last year, that plan fell apart at the time when development onThe Hobbitpicked up. With the film rights set to expire years later, Jackson felt it best to hand the directing reigns toChristian Rivers, his storyboard artist of the past 25 years.
NowMortal Enginesis finally revving towards theaters at the end of the year. But, let’s face it, Reeves is no Rowling. The U.K.-based book series didn’t have the same impact on the U.S. asHarry Potter, sothat first teaser trailerplaying ahead ofStar Wars: The Last Jediscreenings may have raised more questions than answers for those not in the know.
Mortal Enginesis based around the fictional concept of Municipal Darwinism, a system where cities are rebuilt as mobile Traction Cities and roam around the planet devouring smaller cities. (ThinkHowl’s Moving Castlebut on wheels.) It’s in this alternate future where we meet Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), a woman on a mission that will lead her to cross paths with a young apprentice, Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), both of whom are destined to change the course of their future.
With a cast that includesHugo Weaving,Stephen Lang,Colin Salmon,Jihae,Ronan Raftery,Leila George, andPatrick Malahide,Mortal Enginesmay end up sparking the next Hollywood franchise — assuming enough people come out to see it.
Last year, Collider joined a group of reporters on the film’s New Zealand set and, over the course of two days, learned the ins and outs of this imagined reality — a reality Jackson says “feels more possible now than in 2008” when he first started working on it. Here’s what we learned:
Mortal Engineswill open in theaters this Dec. 14. For even more on the film,click hereto watch the new trailer andclick herefor my interview with Christian Rivers.
