By Long in development, Lionsgate has released the first trailer for Doug Liman’s Chaos Walking, the intriguing sci-fi post-apocalypse starring Tom Holland, Daisy Ridley, and Mads Mikkelson, adapting Patrick Ness’ novel The Knife of Never Letting Go.
On a far-flung planet, Todd (Holland) lives among a colony of solely men, affected by the strange phenomenon of the “Noise,” making their thoughts visible. In this volatile and unguarded world, the entrance of Viola (Ridley), the first woman to be seen on the colony, throws a wrench in the community. Unable to have her thoughts read, Viola’s presence provokes uncertainty and fear in the colony, prompting Todd to flee from the clutches of local authority Mayor Prentiss (Mikkelson).
The mystery of Todd’s psychic projections and Viola’s lack thereof give Chaos Walking an intriguing appeal. Director Doug Liman last helmed 2017’s American Made, starring Tom Cruise, and is perhaps best known for 2014’s Edge of Tomorrow, the sci-fi war thriller also starring Cruise, from the manga by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.
Formerly, Charlie Kaufman had been attached to write the adaptation, though original author Patrick Ness shares a final credit with Christopher Ford for the script. Originally filmed in 2017, Chaos Walking went back for extensive reshoots in 2019 with the added support of Don’t Breathe director Fede Álvarez.
Finally ready, Chaos Walking looks to be hitting theaters early next year, currently set for a January 22, 2021 release.