Captain America: Civil War has made a name for itself for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s managed to quite brilliantly bring a dozen or more superheroes to a single movie with positive results. Secondly, it’s currently making waves in its first week of release in the U.S. and has performed excellently in other countries, such as China. And thirdly, it introduces one of the more subtle and arguably most human villains in the shape of Daniel Brühl’s Zemo.
It’s since been revealed by THR that Brühl will team up with Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams for sci-fi thriller God Particle. The Spanish-born actor will feature in this space-set movie alongside David Oyelowo, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, John Krasinski, and Elizabeth Debicki. The film is about a space station crew who find themselves totally alone when Earth suddenly disappears after a scientific experiment goes wrong. When an unidentified space shuttle then appears offering aid, the astronauts must decide whether to trust the help they’re being offered or whether to reject it.
While Abrams isn’t directing – that’s down to first-time feature director Julius Onah – he’s on board (so to speak) in so much as his production company Bad Robot are producing the reality-altering movie. Brühl’s addition is a solid one, adding to the various talents already attached. With its intriguing and ambitious plot, God Particle could prove to be another hit set up in the same mysterious manner as Abrams’ Super 8 was back in 2011.
Brühl is not yet a household name with most mainstream filmgoers, even after his role in Civil War. Nevertheless, he’s already lent his acting skills to a number of high profile, acclaimed movies over the years, such as The Bourne Ultimatum, Inglorious Basterds, Rush, and this year’s The Colony, as well as the superb Good Bye Lenin! from 2003.
Boasting a plucky cast and inexperienced director, it’s no surprise to hear God Particle has a modest budget of just $10 million, suggesting we’re likely to see an indie film that’ll get more exposure (just as 10 Cloverfield Lane did) off the back of Abrams’ high profile, after a string of his own hits that culminated in last year’s globally revered The Force Awakens. Still, it should be one to keep an eye on, especially if Abrams oversees it personally. Here’s hoping we get a meaningful, well-made indie sci-fi on what is, in modern terms, a shoestring budget.
God Particle is in U.S. theaters on February 24, 2017.
