It is finally happening! Warner Bros and Locksmith Animation are adapting the Lunar Chronicles book series into an animated feature film.
The Lunar Chronicles comprises four young adult fantasy novels—Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter—a short story collection, and a novella by renowned American author Marissa Meyer.
Marissa Meyer is known for her epigrammatic and cinematic writing style. She draws experience from her background in fanfiction and a Master’s degree in Publishing.
The recurring themes of justice, vulnerability, social class difference, and identity resonate well with most readers. It is therefore no surprise that the news of the movie adaptation was warmly welcomed by her fans.
Marissa expressed her excitement about the project, stating that the news filled her with “the best kinds of chills.” She cited her background in anime, noting it is one of the reasons she is thrilled about the animated feature film.
What will be the Plot of The Lunar Chronicles Movie?
The official logline for the movie reads as follows:
“The film will adapt the overarching story of rebellion against the evil Queen Levana, following the journey of Cinder and her diverse crew as they fight for control of their destinies in a world plagued by a pandemic and tension between Earth and the moon.”
The movie will strive to feature the cyborg Cinderella (Cinder), spaceship pilot Scarlet, hacker Cress, and Lunar princess Winter novels.
If you haven’t read the book series yet, here is the official synopsis of the first book to give you a sense of what to expect from the upcoming movie.
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle and a forbidden attraction.
Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
With high-stakes action and a smart, resourceful heroine, Cinder is a Cinderella retelling that is at once classic and strikingly original.
Casting & Production Updates:
The project will be led by director Noëlle Raffaele, known for her work in DC Super Hero Girls. She will be joined by producer Christina Steinberg from the Spider-Verse films.
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) will be handling the visual and animation effects.
Fans of the book series have already taken to social media to share their casting theories. Olivia Rodrigo’s name has come up regarding the lead role. Lisa Soberano has also been frequently mentioned. K-pop stars like Cha Eun-woo and Kai have been suggested for the male lead role of the prince.
With all the burgeoning fan theories, the casting team certainly has its work cut out for it. I, for one, would love to see Kim Tae-yung portray the role of the prince.
The Lunar Chronicles Movie Release Date:
According to Warner Bros, the movie is expected to drop on November 3, 2028.
The animated feature film is already in active production. Es Devlin, the world-class production designer, is already working on the visual design in coordination with the Rodarte fashion brand.
Should You Read the Book Instead?
This is an extensive book series. It is highly recommended to read the books to better understand the nuance of the characters and the narrative.
The book also takes beloved fairy tale characters and reimagines them in the complex, futuristic world of science fiction. I don’t know about you, but that sounds exciting! Can you imagine Rapunzel as a genius hacker trapped on a satellite?
The book also explores serious themes, such as Justice, female empowerment, identity, and mental health. It is a worthy story about resilience, courage, and love.
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