Don't Look Up - What We Know So Far
Netflix has definitely delivered on its promise to release more original television shows and movies in 2021, but one upcoming project might overshadow all the rest. Adam McKay, the writer and director behind past hit films like "Vice" and "The Big Short," has teamed up with Netflix for his next feature "Don't Look Up," a star-studded event featuring big names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and more.
Before the script was even finished and Netflix scooped the project up, McKay described the film to Deadline as a "dark satire in the school of 'Wag the Dog,' 'Doctor Strangelove' and 'Network'." "Don't Look Up" is a black comedy about an approaching meteor striking Earth, as two researchers try to warn people around the world. Expect great acting, hilarious situations, and impending doom.
While not a lot of information about "Don't Look Up" has been released yet, Netflix is gearing up for the movie's 2021 release. For everyone eager to watch the upcoming movie that will probably be an Oscar contender next year, here's everything we know so far about Netflix's "Don't Look Up."
When will Don't Look Up come out?
Right now, the only part of the release date confirmed by Netflix is the year — 2021. That being said, there are only so many months left to 2021, so we should expect to get an official release date any time now. Boston.com confirmed that "Don't Look Up" finished filming all the way back in February 2021 after spending three months on location in Massachusetts. Since then, McKay and the post production team would've been working on editing and sound design, but they are presumably finished or about done by now.
Netflix officially acquired the upcoming film in February of last year, with a start date of production in April 2020, planning for a release later the same year (Deadline). But soon after the announcement, Netflix shut down all of its productions as a result of the pandemic, with "Don't Look Up" delayed until 2021. Thankfully, the project was able to finally enter production in early 2021, with a release date most likely being sometime this holiday season, a popular time for big name movies to come out.
Who is in the star-studded cast of the upcoming Netflix film?
In "Don't Look Up," DiCaprio plays a character named Dr. Randall Mindy while Lawrence plays Kate Dibiasky, and they are two unknown astronomers who try to go on a media tour to warn everyone of an approaching meteor that will cause the end of the world as they know it. Along with Lawrence and DiCaprio, the upcoming McKay comedy has a huge cast of major actors and performers.
Included on that list are Meryl Streep as President Janie Orlean, Jonah Hill as her Chief of Staff son Jason, Ron Perlman as Colonel Ben Drask, Cate Blanchett as Brie Evantee, and Timothée Chalamet as a character named Quentin, to name a few. Aside from Streep and Hill, there has been no further information about other actors' roles so far. Also appearing in the film are Melanie Lynskey, Mark Rylance, Ariana Grande, and even Kid Cudi — it's worth noting that the last two mentioned are not playing themselves — but there are many more.
What is the story of Don't Look Up?
Simply put, "Don't Look Up" is about two people attempting to convince the world that they're all about to die. The movie is dubbed a black comedy, so expect a lot of dark humor and a thoroughly stressed out DiCaprio. From the short teaser that aired during the Olympics, captured and shared secondhand by Michael Cudy on their Twitter, Lawrence's character Kate appears to be the more coolheaded of the two, while DiCaprio's Dr. Mindy is pictured hyperventilating in a bathroom and the Oval Office.
Aside from the two lead characters, the only other people that make an appearance in the short clip are Streep and Hill and the president and her son, who don't seem to be taking the situation too seriously. While very short, the first sneak peek gives people a good idea of the kind of existential dread and spot-on humor that will feature in "Don't Look Up," and we can't wait. A small look at the upcoming movie was also included in Netflix's official video sneak peak of the 2021 movie lineup, which was released in January. Keep an eye out for the first official trailer from Netflix soon, which will hopefully reveal a bit more about the movie's story and characters.