Renowned filmmaker Doug Liman showcased his latest project, the XR thriller Asteroid, at the Venice Film Festival, marking a significant return to the event nearly thirty years after his debut with the film Swingers. The immersive experience, which features a star-studded cast including Hailee Steinfeld, Rhenzy Feliz, DK Metcalf, Ron Perlman, and Frieda Pinto, is one of 30 works competing in Venice’s Immersive Competition this year.
Set in the depths of space, Asteroid follows a group of strangers embarking on a perilous mission aboard an old Russian Soyuz rocket. Their objective is to mine an asteroid for wealth, but the stakes are high, as only one of the crew members is destined to return to Earth. This project is produced by Liman’s studio, 30 Ninjas, in collaboration with Google’s 100 Zeros, and it is aligned with the upcoming launch of Android XR, a new operating system integrating AI, AR, and VR technologies.
Liman spoke passionately about his commitment to innovation in filmmaking. “At 30 Ninjas, our mission has been to embrace new technology and storytelling,” he stated. He emphasized his admiration for filmmakers like James Cameron who push the boundaries of storytelling through technological advancement. The Venice screening was particularly meaningful for Liman, as it brought back memories of his earlier work with Swingers, which was groundbreaking in its own right.
The original Swingers was created on a modest budget of $250,000 and grossed $4.6 million at the U.S. box office. Liman recalled how advancements in film technology allowed him to shoot the film in a unique style. “I thought, ‘With these film stocks, I can shoot a movie without a crew and lights,’” he said, noting the evolution of filmmaking techniques.
In discussing Asteroid, Liman described it as his most ambitious project to date. He highlighted the challenges of creating a Hollywood-style narrative within a virtual reality framework. “It was so challenging to make,” Liman admitted, “and that’s why I now understand why this hasn’t existed before.”
The immersive experience includes an interactive component featuring DK Metcalf, where viewers can engage with the narrative by solving the mysteries surrounding the mission’s failure on the asteroid. The format allows for a unique combination of storytelling techniques, blending cinematic elements with interactive technology.
The storyline of Asteroid reflects Liman’s long-standing interest in creating narratives set in space with characters who are out of their element. “In Asteroid, five of them are crammed into a Soyuz capsule designed for three because they think there’s a trillion dollars to be made on an asteroid,” he explained. This concept presents a fresh take on the space genre, focusing on greed and ambition rather than heroism.
Veteran actor Ron Perlman, who plays a pivotal role in the film, described the experience of working on Asteroid as revelatory. “I thought that I had done everything in show business until I saw this,” he remarked, highlighting the innovative approach to storytelling that Liman is known for. Perlman also noted the challenges of portraying the harsh realities of space travel, which included grappling with the physical limitations of the capsule.
The technical demands of filming in such confined spaces were significant. Liman explained how the concept of using VR created unique filming challenges, particularly in capturing the claustrophobic environments of the Soyuz capsule. “Technically, how to film that was more ambitious than any filming I’ve ever done,” he stated, showcasing the extensive planning and creativity required for this project.
Looking ahead, Liman and his team have not yet decided on a potential feature film extension of Asteroid. The project originally began as a feature script but was adapted into a short film for this immersive experience. Liman expressed his desire to explore the characters and the broader narrative in greater depth. “There is a full story I want to tell of Asteroid that is feature length or longer,” he said.
In addition to Asteroid, Liman’s aspirations for future projects include a long-discussed film featuring Tom Cruise in outer space. Although this project remains on the table, no concrete updates have been provided. “I know I want to do more in space,” he stated, hinting at his eagerness to continue exploring innovative storytelling in the genre.
As Liman reflects on the success of Asteroid, he remains committed to creating films that resonate with audiences long after their release. “I want to make a film that people watch in a hundred years when maybe there’s hundreds of movies shot in outer space,” he concluded, setting a high bar for his future endeavors.
