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Fly Me to the Moon (2024 film)

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This article is about the 2024 American film. For the Hong Kong film of the same name, see Fly Me to the Moon (2023 film).

Fly Me to the Moon
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGreg Berlanti
Screenplay byRose Gilroy
Story by
  • Bill Kirstein
  • Keenan Flynn
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDariusz Wolski
Edited byHarry Jierjian
Music byDaniel Pemberton
Production
companies
Distributed byColumbia Pictures (through Sony Pictures Releasing)
Release dates
  • July 8, 2024 (2024-07-08) (AMC Lincoln Square)
  • July 12, 2024 (2024-07-12) (United States)
Running time
132 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$100 million[2]
Box office$42.2 million[3][4]

Fly Me to the Moon is a 2024 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Greg Berlanti and written by Rose Gilroy, based on a story by Bill Kirstein and Keenan Flynn. 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 they are tasked with creating a fake moon landing in case the 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 grossed just $42 million worldwide on a production budget of $100 million. Fly Me to the Moon received mixed reviews, with praise for the lead performances but criticism for its implausible plot and inconsistent tone. Its blend of romance and historical drama was also considered uneven by some critics.

Plot

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In late 1968, advertising executive Kelly Jones is offered a high-stakes job by Moe Berkus, a covert government operative working for President 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, 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 a 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.

Cast

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Production

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In March 2022, Apple Studios announced it had acquired the rights to produce a movie 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.[7] In May, Bateman said the working title Project Artemis was likely to change.[8] He left the project the following month, citing creative differences,[9] and was later replaced by Greg Berlanti, his first directorial effort since 2018's Love, Simon.[10]

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 movies. "That was instrumental… It was endlessly interesting to learn all the ways they sold" the Apollo 11 mission.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13] In September, Jim Rash joined the cast.[14] Ray Romano, Anna Garcia, and Woody Harrelson would be added in the following months.[15][16][17]

Principal photography began in Atlanta on October 27, 2022, with a casting call issued seeking extras to play NASA employees and FBI agents.[18] By December 21, 2023, with a release date of July 12, 2024 set, the film was no longer titled Project Artemis.[19] In April 2024, the film's new title was revealed to be Fly Me to the Moon,[20][21] and Daniel Pemberton was confirmed to compose the score.[22]

Release

[edit]

The film was initially slated to be released direct-to-streaming on Apple TV+ but was redirected to theatrical following strong test screenings.[23] Following their partnership on Napoleon, Apple entered into another agreement with Sony Pictures to distribute the film in cinemas in December 2023,[24] 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.[25]

The film premiered at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on July 8, 2024.[26]

Reception

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Box office

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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.[3][4]

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 grossed below expectations on its first weekend, earning $9.4 million at the domestic box office and $9 million from 52 international markets.[29][30] In its second weekend, it made $3.3 million, finishing sixth.[31][32]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 65% of 224 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "Sustained by Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum's screwball chemistry even when its plotting strains credulity, this throwback romance is a pleasant enough trip to the moon and back."[33] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on 49 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[34] 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]

The Guardian called the film a "misjudged and unfunny romcom" and gave it two out of five stars.[35]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Golden Trailer Awards May 30, 2024 Best Comedy "Connection" Nominated [36][37]
Best Romance Nominated

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Fly Me To The Moon (12A)". BBFC. June 20, 2024. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (May 1, 2024). "Without Barbenheimer 2.0, Hollywood Needs Deadpool 3, Despicable Me 4 and Other Sequels to Heat Up Summer Box Office". Variety. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Fly Me to the Moon – Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Fly Me to the Moon". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  5. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 8, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum Blast Off In Apple Original Films' First Trailer For 'Fly Me To The Moon' – CinemaCon". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  6. ^ Goldstein, Gary (July 13, 2024). "Review: In fizzy facts-optional Fly Me to the Moon, faking Apollo 11 and falling in love". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Wiseman, Andreas; Kroll, Justin (March 31, 2022). "'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. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  8. ^ Lang, Brent (May 26, 2022). "Jason Bateman on Saying Goodbye to 'Ozark', Fate of the Byrdes and His Directing Future". Variety. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 7, 2022). "Jason Bateman Exits Scarlett Johansson-Chris Evans Film 'Artemis' Due To Creative Differences". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Barnes, Brooks (July 11, 2024). "Can Movies for Grown-Ups Still Sell Tickets? 'Fly Me to the Moon' Is a Test". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Ryan, Patrick (July 14, 2024). "Is 'Fly Me to the Moon' based on a true story? What's behind fake moon landing movie". USA Today.
  12. ^ https://directories.wga.org/project/1242770/fly-me-to-the-moon
  13. ^ Kit, Borys (July 14, 2022). "Channing Tatum, Greg Berlanti Joining Scarlett Johansson for Apple's Project Artemis". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  14. ^ Grobar, Matt (September 14, 2022). "Project Artemis: Jim Rash Boards Greg Berlanti's Space Race Pic For Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  15. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 31, 2022). "Ray Romano Joins Greg Berlanti-Helmed Apple Space Race Project Artemis". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 5, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  16. ^ Grobar, Matt (November 8, 2022). "Project Artemis: Newcomer Anna Garcia Lands Breakout Role In Greg Berlanti Apple Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  17. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 10, 2023). "Project Artemis: Woody Harrelson Rounds Out Cast Of Greg Berlanti-Directed Space Race Pic For Apple". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  18. ^ Roberts, Michele (October 10, 2022). "ENTERTAINMENT Casting for PROJECT ARTEMIS". CW 69. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  19. ^ Saperstein, Pat (December 21, 2023). "Sony Dates Scarlett Johansson-Channing Tatum Film, George Clooney and Brad Pitt's 'Wolfs' for 2024". Variety. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  20. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 4, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum Apple Original Film Gets Title". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  21. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (April 8, 2024). "'Fly Me to the Moon' Trailer: Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum Fake the Moon Landing for NASA in 1969 Romantic-Comedy". Variety. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  22. ^ "Daniel Pemberton Scoring Greg Berlanti's 'Fly Me to the Moon'". Film Music Reporter. April 8, 2024. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  23. ^ Debruge, Peter (July 6, 2024). "'Fly Me to the Moon' Review: A Rocket's Red Glare Gives Proof to Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum's Screen Chemistry". Variety. Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  24. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 13, 2023). "Sony Wins Global Theatrical Distribution Deal For Apple's George Clooney & Brad Pitt Pic Wolfs & Scarlett Johansson & Channing Tatum's Project Artemis". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  25. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 21, 2023). "Sony Dates Apple's 'Wolfs' & 'Project Artemis' For 2024". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  26. ^ Greene, Jordan; Vasquez, Ingrid (July 9, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost Join Channing Tatum on the Red Carpet for Fly Me to the Moon Premiere". People. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  27. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 9, 2024). "Gru To Rule With $33M+ As 'Fly Me To The Moon', 'Longlegs' Provide Depth To Weekend Box Office – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  28. ^ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2024). "Box Office: 'Longlegs' Makes $3 Million in Previews, Surpassing 'Immaculate' to Set Neon Record". Variety. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  29. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 14, 2024). "How Neon Made Longlegs Sexy At Box Office With Distrib's Record Opening Of $22M+, Best Start For Original Horror Pic YTD – Sunday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  30. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 14, 2024). "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". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  31. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 22, 2024). "'Twisters' Even Bigger With $81M+ Opening – Monday AM Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  32. ^ "Domestic 2024 Weekend 29". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  33. ^ "Fly Me to the Moon". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 26, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  34. ^ "Fly Me to the Moon". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "Fly Me to the Moon review – slinky Scarlett Johansson in cynical moon-landing conspiracy comedy". The Guardian. July 9, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  36. ^ Swift, Brendan (May 6, 2024). "'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' and 'Late Night With The Devil' shortlisted at Golden Trailer Awards". IF Magazine. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  37. ^ Schreur, Brandon (May 31, 2024). "Full 2024 Golden Trailer Awards Winners List: Deadpool & Wolverine Wins Big". ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
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