Steven Spielberg has selected a screenwriter for his next foray into sci-fi, Interstellar, and it’s Jonathan Nolan, or Jonah, as he prefers to be called. Yes, that’s Chris’ brother, the guy who wrote the short story that became Memento, went on to co-adapt Christopher Priest’s The Prestige, and has recently wrapped up his part on the script for The Dark Knight.
Interstellar’s plot revolves around the concept of wormholes and the subsequent time travel that might be possible if one were to travel through them. It’s all informed by scientific theory, according to physicist and relativity expert Kip S. Thorne, who held a workshop at Caltech University that Spielberg decided to toddle along to.
It sounds like an idea ripe enough with enough scientific speculation to make it the next ‘serious’ sci-fi, coming hot on the heels of Danny Boyle’s Sunshine. Well, maybe not so hot – Spielberg’s schedule is pretty crowded at the moment, what with Indy 4 well on the front burner, and his intention to make his biopic of Lincoln after that. Still, it’ll give Nolan plenty of time to get his head around the concept, and he’s got The Chicago Fire to finish yet.
There’s no announcement of a shooting or release date, but given the speed with which Spielberg has been known to work, Interstellar could launch around mid 2009. We’ll keep you updated.
Incidentally Jonah, if you're reading this and would like your picture to accompany your representation in news stories, please feel free to send one along.
Did Interstellar leave you baffled and confused? We explain Interstellar in detail here.