Chiwetel Ejiofor plays an alien named Faraday in Man Who Fell to Earth trailer

Showtime has launched the official trailer for its upcoming new sci-fi sequence, The Man Who Fell to Earth, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as an alien who involves Earth in hopes of saving the individuals on his residence planet. It is a daring transfer, contemplating that the sequence relies on the classic 1963 novel by Walter Tevis, which already spawned an iconic film adaptation that includes rock star David Bowie.

(Spoilers for the 1963 novel and 1976 movie beneath.)

Tevis’ novel tells the story of a humanoid alien from a planet referred to as Anthea, which is affected by extreme drought. Going by the title Thomas Jerome Newton, the alien travels to Earth in hopes of transporting the remnants of his individuals to our soggy orb. Thomas patents a bunch of superior alien expertise from his personal planet and makes a fortune, with plans to make use of that wealth to assemble spaceships for his individuals. He finds a good friend and ally in a gas technician named Nathan Bryce.

Thomas additionally earns the love of a lady named Betty Jo, though he doesn’t reciprocate her emotions. It’s Betty Jo who introduces him to intercourse and alcohol, and he turns into hooked on the latter. Finally Bryce discovers his buddy is an alien, and whereas Thomas is initially relieved to have somebody know his secret, the CIA and FBI have been monitoring him since his arrival on Earth. He’s imprisoned and subjected to many invasive assessments, certainly one of which completely blinds him. Unable to finish his mission, Thomas information one final message to broadcast to his residence planet earlier than totally giving in to drink.

The Man Who Fell to Earth is sort of the tragedy of existential loneliness and alcoholism. So filmmaker Nicolas Roeg’s choice to solid rock star David Bowie as Thomas within the director’s 1976 movie adaptation was, looking back, impressed. Bowie already had an otherworldly, androgynous look and was frank in a 1983 interview about inhaling a superb 10 grams of cocaine a day throughout filming: “I wasn’t of this Earth at that specific time.” Roeg’s movie adopted the essential plot of the novel whereas placing his personal distinctive inventive contact on the challenge, and the movie acquired largely constructive opinions upon launch. It is now thought of a science fiction cult traditional (for good cause) and amongst Roeg’s finest work.

Developed and written by Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet, this new TV adaptation started as a challenge for Hulu earlier than shifting to CBS All Entry (which has since absorbed into Paramount+). Showtime will air the sequence within the US, with Paramount+ carrying it internationally. Per the official logline, “The Man Who Fell to Earth will observe a brand new alien character (Ejiofor) who arrives on Earth at a turning level in human evolution and should confront his personal previous to find out our future.”

The TV adaptation introduces some clear deviations from the supply materials, beginning with Ejiofor’s character, an alien named Faraday. Invoice Nighy performs Thomas Jerome Newton, the character Bowie performed. (He even sports activities an analogous dashing hat.) “I introduced you right here to complete what I began,” Thomas tells Faraday, indicating that this can be a sequel of types as a substitute of a simple adaptation. Earth is on the identical trajectory as their dying planet. “That is how all of us survive,” Thomas insists. However there are nonetheless those that would like to take out the aliens relatively than work with them for a mutually assured survival.

Naomie Harris co-stars as Justin Falls, described as “a superb scientist and engineer who should conquer her personal demons within the race to avoid wasting two worlds.” She has a younger son, and the connection they’ve with Faraday appears paying homage to The Day the Earth Stood Still. (That is a component presumably borrowed from the largely forgettable 1987 made-for-TV model of The Man Who Fell to Earth.) The solid additionally consists of Westworld‘s Jimmi Simpson as Spencer Clay; Rob Delaney as Hatch Flood; Sonya Cassidy as Edie Flood; Joana Ribeiro as Lisa Dominguez; Annelle Olaleye as Molly Falls; Josh Herdman as Terry; and Kate Mulgrew as Drew Finch.

The Man Who Fell to Earth will debut April 24, 2022, on Showtime within the US and on Paramount+ internationally.

Itemizing picture by YouTube/Showtime