By now, everyone has seen the new trailer for Disney’s upcoming live-action film Tomorrowland (if you haven’t, watch it here). While this trailer gave us a much clearer look at the characters and story, a sizable portion of the film’s audience still wants to know more. And, luckily for those people, this request hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Just minutes before the trailer went live, director Brad Bird and co-writer Damon Lindelof conducted a Q&A on Disney’s Facebook page.
Without any further ado, let’s look at the questions and their respective answers.
-When asked about the influences for the setting and central themes of the film:
(Bird) I was not inspired by old science fiction as much as I was inspired by how the future used to be seen in contrast to how it’s seen today.
(Lindelof) You’re SMART, Brad Bird!!!
-When asked about why they chose Hugh Laurie as David Nix (the central antagonist):
(Lindelof) Hugh was, quite literally, the only actor we considered for the part. We needed someone who could: A. Be very, very smart. B. Be very, very funny. C. Go toe to toe with George as to who is the greatest former TV doctor.
-On finding the inspiration for creative secrets and McGuffins:
(Lindelof) One of our inspirations was all the hidden Mickeys in the parks… the idea that the Imagineers themselves want to reward the super fans is something we really plugged into!
-On the possibility of a franchise:
(Bird) I try to see each movie as a standalone thing but the world the movie inhabits as something much larger.
-On working with George Clooney:
(Lindelof) George Clooney is a MONSTER. A handsome, brilliant, talented, highly fun and intensely collaborative monster.
-When asked about the “Yes! Now I feel really good that this movie is working or what I hoped it would be!” moment for the film:
(Lindelof) That moment came (and went) MANY times over the last four years. When Jeff Jensen and I first started talking about Disney history, particularly Walt’s involvement at the 64 World’s Fair… that was the first time I felt a tingle of, “Wow. We’re tapping into something pretty cool here.” I felt it again when Brad started doing pre-viz for some of the insane action sequences in the movie… and AGAIN on the scoring stage just last week as the brilliant Michael Giacchino led a hundred piece orchestra through the music for the movie.
–When asked about the similarities and differences in directing live-action vs. animation (developing the story, etc.):
(Bird) Capturing the right tone. If each film is a creature, this film was a very finicky creature. The line between too much information and not enough was razor thin.
–On trying to keep the lid as tight as humanely possible on any potential spoilers:
(Bird) Keyword is “careful”. Don’t let anyone unwrap presents before Christmas.
–On choosing Britt Robertson as the lead:
(Lindelof) A zillion talented young actors auditioned for Casey, but Britt was the one who most embodied what we were looking for – a hopefulness and optimism that felt fresh without being corny. Casey is a dreamer… and explorer… a young woman who refuses to accept the status quo. We felt Britt embodied all of the above.
–On getting George Clooney to be in a Science Fiction film:
(Bird) George was our first choice. Luckily he accepted. Integrity is a key part of his persona. The fact that he hasn’t done a lot films like this speaks to that. He only gets involved with things he believes in. That’s also true of Frank Walker the character George plays in Tomorrowland. He’s a great actor and he’s funny.
-When asked about how he (Brad Bird) brings a fresh perspective to his writing/directing:
(Bird) I think you do it by getting outside of your head and taking in other influences whether they’re other movies, books, life, paintings. You just try to take new things and the work changes.
-When asked about what Disney Park attractions inspired him (this should be obvious):
(Lindelof) Brad turned me on to some of the classic Tomorrowland attractions like “Carousel of Progress”. The way the future was viewed from the PAST was really intriguing to us.
-On what convinced Brad Bird that Tomorrowland was the right script for him:
(Bird) Damon was doing some uncredited writing work on the end of the last movie, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. We started talking about what the other was doing next and it completely sucked me in.
–On what differentiates the film from the current dystopian craze (this question was asked a couple times):
(Lindelof) This movie is really a reaction to dystopic sci-fi… as much as I love that stuff, we really wanted to explore what happened to our jetpacks!
(Bird) I would say it is a counter argument against the current obsessions with dystopia but I would probably rather say it’s just a good time at the movies.
–When asked if there was an invention that they wanted to become reality:
(Lindelof) I gotta go with teleportation. Traffic in L.A. was ruthless this morning.
And that does it for Brad Bird and Damon Lindelof’s Q&A session on Tomorrowland! The film lands in theaters on May 22.
What do you think? Do you have any questions of your own about Tomorrowland?
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes
