Fly Me to the Moon (2024 film) explained

Director:Greg Berlanti
Screenplay:Rose Gilroy
Cinematography:Dariusz Wolski
Editing:Harry Jierjian
Music:Daniel Pemberton
Runtime:132 minutes[1]
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$100 million[2]
Gross:$42 million[3] [4]

Fly Me to the Moon is a 2024 American historical romantic comedy drama film directed by Greg Berlanti and written by Rose Gilroy, based on a story by Keenan Flynn and Bill Kirstein. The film stars Scarlett Johansson as Kelly Jones, a marketing specialist, and Channing Tatum as Cole Davis, a NASA launch director. Set against the backdrop of the Apollo 11 mission, the story follows Jones and Davis as she is tasked with creating a false moon landing in case his actual mission fails.

Premiering on July 8, 2024, at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City, the film was released in theaters on July 12, 2024. Originally planned for a streaming release on Apple TV+, it was moved to a theatrical release after positive early test screenings. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with its blend of romance and historical drama considered uneven. It grossed $42 million worldwide on a production budget of $100 million.

Plot

In late 1968, Manhattan advertising executive Kelly Jones is offered a high-stakes job by Moe Berkus, a covert government operative working for President-elect Richard Nixon. He tasks her with revitalizing NASA's public image amidst waning interest in the Space Race. Under threat of being exposed for her deceptive past, Kelly reluctantly agrees and moves to Cocoa Beach, Florida, with her loyal assistant, Ruby.

Upon arriving, Kelly encounters Cole Davis, the serious and principled launch director at the Kennedy Space Center. They immediately clash over Kelly's unconventional methods to boost NASA's public appeal, including corporate sponsorships and hiring actors to portray scientists. Despite their differences, they begin to develop a mutual respect and attraction.

As NASA prepares for the historic Apollo 11 mission, Kelly suggests broadcasting the moon landing using a television camera on the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), a proposal Cole dismisses as impractical. However, Moe secretly endorses the idea and reveals an additional, shadowy directive to Kelly: she must prepare a fake moon landing to be aired if the real mission fails, a project codenamed "Artemis".

Moe pressures Kelly into creating this falsification by threatening to expose her less-than-honest past, as she has skillfully reinvented herself. Being skilled at her job, she arranges that a very talented but virtually unknown director come on board. Finding the most isolated airplane hangar on the base, it is heavily guarded. Everyone involved is sworn into secrecy.

Kelly becomes increasingly uneasy with the deception, especially as she and Cole grow closer. When a key congressional supporter withdraws, jeopardizing NASA's funding, Cole and Kelly team up to win back his vote, ultimately succeeding through Cole's heartfelt appeal to a skeptical senator.

Their partnership blossoms into a romantic relationship. As the Apollo 11 launch nears, Kelly discovers that the fake broadcast is set to air, regardless of the mission's outcome, due to sabotage of the LEM camera. Overcome with guilt, she confesses everything to Cole, and together, they manage to repair the camera just in time.

During the live broadcast, it is unclear whether audiences are watching the real moon landing or the fake. A stray cat wandering onto the set confirms that the real footage is being transmitted, and the mission is celebrated as a success.

In the end, Moe begrudgingly accepts that the truth prevailed, allowing Kelly to leave her past behind. She reveals her real name, Winnie, to Cole, and they rekindle their romance as the Apollo 11 astronauts safely return to Earth.

Production

In March 2022, Apple Studios announced it had acquired the rights to produce a film set in the backdrop of the Space Race, then titled Project Artemis, for more than $100 million. Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans were also announced as starring in the film, with Jason Bateman directing.[5] In May, Bateman said the working title Project Artemis was likely to change.[6] He left the project the following month, citing creative differences,[7] and was later replaced by Greg Berlanti, his first directorial effort since 2018's Love, Simon.[8]

Screenwriter Rose Gilroy referred to the book Marketing the Moon for her writing. She said the book "is about the original ads that were used, and how sci-fi was woven into the minds of the American people" using genre books and films. "That was instrumental… It was endlessly interesting to learn all the ways they sold" the Apollo 11 mission.[9] While Gilroy received sole credit for the screenplay, with Bill Kirstein and Keenan Flynn credited with the story, Dana Fox and Michael Green also made contributions to the script, earning "additional literary material" credit.[10]

The search for a new director and Berlanti's availability changed the production schedule, forcing Evans to drop out as well. In July, Channing Tatum entered into negotiations to replace him.[11] In September, Jim Rash joined the cast.[12] Ray Romano, Anna Garcia, and Woody Harrelson would be added in the following months.[13] [14] [15]

Principal photography began in Atlanta on October 27, 2022, with a casting call issued seeking extras to play NASA employees and FBI agents.[16] By December 21, 2023, with a release date of July 12, 2024 set, the film was no longer titled Project Artemis.[17] In April 2024, the film's new title was revealed to be Fly Me to the Moon,[18] [19] and Daniel Pemberton was confirmed to compose the score.[20]

Release

The film was initially slated to be released direct-to-streaming on Apple TV+ but was redirected to theatrical following strong test screenings.[21] Following their partnership on Napoleon, Apple entered into another agreement with Sony Pictures to distribute the film in cinemas in December 2023,[22] after both Warner Bros. and Paramount declined to bid for theatrical distribution rights with the latter saying it already had full release schedules. Sony Pictures scheduled the film for a theatrical release in the United States and Canada on July 12, 2024,[23] following its premiere at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on July 8, 2024.[24]

The film was released on premium video on demand (PVOD) on August 14, 2024.[25] It was released on Apple TV+ on December 6, 2024.[26]

Reception

Box office

Fly Me to the Moon grossed $20.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $21.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $42.2 million.

In the United States and Canada, Fly Me to the Moon was released alongside Longlegs, and was projected to gross around $12 million from 3,356 theaters in its opening weekend.[27] It made $4.5 million on its first day, including $875,000 from Thursday night previews.[28] [29] It went on to debut at $9.4 million, finishing fifth.[29] [30] In its second weekend, the film made $3.3 million, finishing sixth.[31] [32]

Critical response

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale, while those polled by PostTrak gave it an 86% overall positive score.[29]

Glenn Kenny of The New York Times gave the movie a mixed review. He praised the chemistry between Johansson and Tatum, writing that "the movie lives and dies with its lead actors". Kenny also criticized the plot as "convoluted" and "belabored", especially in the latter parts of the film.[33] In a negative review, Richard Brody of The New Yorker described the movie as a "comedic contrivance" that failed to communicate anything meaningful about the time or events portrayed.[34] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian also disliked the film, awarding it two out of five stars and calling it a "misjudged and unfunny romcom".[35]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Golden Trailer AwardsMay 30, 2024Best Comedy"Connection"[36] [37]
Best Romance
Saturn AwardsFebruary 2, 2025Best Action / Adventure FilmFly Me to the Moon[38]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: June 20, 2024. Fly Me To The Moon (12A). June 20, 2024. BBFC. June 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240620131846/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/fly-me-to-the-moon-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdiwndi4. live.
  2. Web site: Without Barbenheimer 2.0, Hollywood Needs Deadpool 3, Despicable Me 4 and Other Sequels to Heat Up Summer Box Office. May 1, 2024. Rebecca. Rubin. Variety. June 21, 2024. May 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240516131318/https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/summer-box-office-deadpool-3-despicable-me-inside-out-2-1235981208/. live.
  3. Web site: Fly Me to the Moon – Financial Information. The Numbers. November 1, 2024. July 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240716213404/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Fly-Me-to-the-Moon-(2024)#tab=summary. live.
  4. Web site: Fly Me to the Moon. Box Office Mojo. November 1, 2024. July 14, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240714063454/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl810057729/?ref_=bo_da_table_4. live.
  5. News: Wiseman. Andreas. Kroll. Justin. 'Avengers' Co-Stars Scarlett Johansson & Chris Evans Set To Lead Red-Hot Package 'Project Artemis'; Apple Makes Massive Deal For Jason Bateman-Directed Pic. Deadline Hollywood. March 31, 2022. March 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220331235459/https://deadline.com/2022/03/chris-evans-scarlett-johansson-jason-bateman-apple-project-artemis-space-race-movie-1234990101/. March 31, 2022. live.
  6. Web site: Jason Bateman on Saying Goodbye to 'Ozark', Fate of the Byrdes and His Directing Future. May 26, 2022. Brent. Lang. Variety. June 7, 2022. November 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221102042657/https://variety.com/2022/tv/features/jason-bateman-ozark-finale-directing-1235276396/. live.
  7. News: Fleming. Mike Jr.. Jason Bateman Exits Scarlett Johansson-Chris Evans Film 'Artemis' Due To Creative Differences. Deadline Hollywood. June 7, 2022. June 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220607204206/https://deadline.com/2022/06/jason-bateman-exits-project-artemis-director-scarlett-johansson-chris-evans-1235039903/. June 7, 2022. live.
  8. News: Barnes . Brooks . 2024-07-11 . Can Movies for Grown-Ups Still Sell Tickets? 'Fly Me to the Moon' Is a Test. . 2024-07-11 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  9. Web site: Patrick . Ryan . Is 'Fly Me to the Moon' based on a true story? What's behind fake moon landing movie . 2024-07-14 . USA Today.
  10. https://directories.wga.org/project/1242770/fly-me-to-the-moon
  11. Web site: Channing Tatum, Greg Berlanti Joining Scarlett Johansson for Apple's Project Artemis. July 14, 2022. Borys. Kit. The Hollywood Reporter. July 14, 2022. December 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221229063722/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/channing-tatum-greg-berlanti-scarlett-johansson-project-artemis-1235180472/. live.
  12. Web site: Grobar . Matt . Project Artemis: Jim Rash Boards Greg Berlanti's Space Race Pic For Apple . . 14 September 2022 . September 14, 2022 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929120913/https://deadline.com/2022/09/project-artemis-jim-rash-boards-greg-berlantis-space-race-pic-for-apple-1235118911/ . live .
  13. Web site: Fleming . Mike Jr. . Ray Romano Joins Greg Berlanti-Helmed Apple Space Race Project Artemis . . 31 October 2022 . October 31, 2022 . November 5, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221105050900/https://deadline.com/2022/10/ray-romano-greg-berlanti-project-artemis-scarlett-johansson-channing-tatum-rose-gilroy-apple-original-films-1235159248/ . live .
  14. Web site: Grobar . Matt . Project Artemis: Newcomer Anna Garcia Lands Breakout Role In Greg Berlanti Apple Pic . . 8 November 2022 . November 8, 2022 . November 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221124090747/https://deadline.com/2022/11/project-artemis-adds-newcomer-anna-garcia-in-breakout-role-1235166777/ . live .
  15. Web site: Grobar . Matt . Project Artemis: Woody Harrelson Rounds Out Cast Of Greg Berlanti-Directed Space Race Pic For Apple . . 10 January 2023 . January 10, 2023 . January 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230117211126/https://deadline.com/2023/01/woody-harrelson-joins-project-artemis-greg-berlanti-film-for-apple-1235215979/ . live .
  16. Web site: Roberts . Michele . ENTERTAINMENT Casting for PROJECT ARTEMIS . . 25 October 2022 . October 10, 2022 . October 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221025064918/https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/casting-for-project-artemis/ . live .
  17. Web site: Sony Dates Scarlett Johansson-Channing Tatum Film, George Clooney and Brad Pitt's 'Wolfs' for 2024. Variety. Pat. Saperstein. 21 December 2023. 22 December 2023. December 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231222102400/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/scarlett-johansson-project-artemis-george-clooney-wolfs-2024-release-dates-1235849230/. live.
  18. Web site: Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum Apple Original Film Gets Title. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. 4 April 2024. 4 April 2024. April 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240404154034/https://deadline.com/2024/04/scarlett-johansson-channing-tatum-apple-movie-fly-me-to-the-moon-1235875893/. live.
  19. Web site: Rubin . Rebecca . 2024-04-08 . 'Fly Me to the Moon' Trailer: Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum Fake the Moon Landing for NASA in 1969 Romantic-Comedy . 2024-04-08 . . April 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408213917/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/fly-me-to-the-moon-trailer-scarlett-johansson-channing-tatum-1235890691/ . live .
  20. News: Daniel Pemberton Scoring Greg Berlanti's 'Fly Me to the Moon' . Film Music Reporter . April 8, 2024 . April 8, 2024 . April 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240409014226/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/04/08/daniel-pemberton-scoring-greg-berlantis-fly-me-to-the-moon/ . live .
  21. News: Debruge . Peter . 2024-07-06 . 'Fly Me to the Moon' Review: A Rocket's Red Glare Gives Proof to Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum's Screen Chemistry . 2024-07-10 . Variety . July 14, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240714182230/https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/fly-me-to-the-moon-review-scarlett-johansson-channing-tatum-1236061592/ . live.
  22. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . Sony Wins Global Theatrical Distribution Deal For Apple's George Clooney & Brad Pitt Pic Wolfs & Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum's Project Artemis . . 13 December 2023 . December 13, 2023 . May 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240530115202/https://deadline.com/2023/12/apple-sony-wolfs-project-artemis-theatrical-distribution-deal-1235666711/ . live.
  23. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . Sony Dates Apple's 'Wolfs' & 'Project Artemis' For 2024 . . December 21, 2023 . December 21, 2023 . December 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231228171441/https://deadline.com/2023/12/apple-sony-wolfs-project-artemis-release-dates-1235680339/ . live.
  24. July 9, 2024. Jordan. Greene. Ingrid. Vasquez. Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost Join Channing Tatum on the Red Carpet for Fly Me to the Moon Premiere. 2024-07-10. People. July 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240710162517/https://people.com/scarlett-johansson-colin-jost-channing-tatum-hit-the-red-carpet-for-fly-me-to-the-moon-premiere-in-nyc-8674654. live.
  25. Web site: Mishra . Shrishty . 2024-08-13 . 'Fly Me To The Moon' Lands a Digital Release Date . 2024-11-07 . Collider.
  26. Apple Original Films' "Fly Me to the Moon," starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, to premiere globally on Apple TV+ on December 6, 2024 . . November 22, 2024 . December 11, 2024.
  27. Web site: Gru To Rule With $33M+ As 'Fly Me To The Moon', 'Longlegs' Provide Depth To Weekend Box Office – Preview. July 9, 2024. Anthony. D'Alessandro. Deadline Hollywood. July 11, 2024. July 11, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240711121011/https://deadline.com/2024/07/channing-tatum-box-office-fly-me-to-the-moon-despicable-me-4-1236004684/amp/. live.
  28. News: Box Office: 'Longlegs' Makes $3 Million in Previews, Surpassing 'Immaculate' to Set Neon Record. July 12, 2024. Jordan. Moreau. Variety. July 12, 2024. July 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240712161039/https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/box-office-longlegs-previews-neon-1236068814/. live.
  29. Web site: How Neon Made Longlegs Sexy At Box Office With Distrib's Record Opening Of $22M+, Best Start For Original Horror Pic YTD – Sunday Update. July 14, 2024. Anthony. D'Alessandro. Deadline Hollywood. July 16, 2024. July 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240715173848/https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-longlegs-fly-me-to-the-moon-channing-tatum-nicolas-cage-1236008154/. live.
  30. Web site: Despicable Me 4 Rises To $438M WW, Inside Out 2 Grins With $1.35B, A Quiet Place: Day One Tops $200M & Twisters Starts Swirling Early Overseas – International Box Office. July 14, 2024. Nancy. Tartaglione. Deadline Hollywood. July 16, 2024. July 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240716043438/https://deadline.com/2024/07/despicable-me-4-inside-out-2-quiet-place-twisters-global-international-box-office-1236009799/. live.
  31. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . July 22, 2024 . 'Twisters' Even Bigger With $81M+ Opening – Monday AM Box Office Update. July 22, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  32. Web site: Domestic 2024 Weekend 29. Box Office Mojo. July 28, 2024.
  33. News: Kenny . Glenn . 2024-07-11 . 'Fly Me to the Moon' Review: This NASA Rom-Com Stays Earthbound . 2025-03-03 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  34. Brody . Richard . 2024-07-11 . "Fly Me to the Moon" Lacks Mission Control . 2025-03-03 . The New Yorker . en-US . 0028-792X.
  35. News: Bradshaw . Peter . 2024-07-09 . Fly Me to the Moon review – slinky Scarlett Johansson in cynical moon-landing conspiracy comedy . 2024-08-11 . The Guardian.
  36. Web site: Swift . Brendan . 2024-05-06 . 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' and 'Late Night With The Devil' shortlisted at Golden Trailer Awards . 2024-09-07 . IF Magazine . en-AU.
  37. Web site: Schreur . Brandon . 2024-05-31 . Full 2024 Golden Trailer Awards Winners List: Deadpool & Wolverine Wins Big . 2024-09-07 . ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More . en-US.
  38. Web site: Neglia . Matt . 2024-12-05 . The 2024 Saturn Award Nominations . 2024-12-08 . Next Best Picture . en-US.

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