Story by Todd Gilchrist
Come December 9, 2008, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" will enjoy the widest release in motion picture history. In addition to showing the upcoming sci-fi flick (watch exclusive clips here) on earthbound screens worldwide starting on Friday, December 12, Fox intends to transmit the film into deep space, qualifying DTESS’ opening as “the world’s first galactic motion picture release,” according to a studio announcement.
When the movie -- which stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly -- hits theaters Friday, Fox, working with Deep Space Communications Network in Cape Canaveral, will simultaneously transmit the film through space at 186,000 miles per second. Civilizations orbiting Alpha Centauri will be able to view and blog about the film starting in 2012, which means that human audiences should receive their reviews of Reeves’ performance by 2016, accounting for an eight-year roundtrip communication time.
Jim Lewis, Managing Director of Deep Space Communications Network, said about the transmission, “We are thrilled about beaming this film into space. This will be our first full length movie transmission. And what could be more relevant to send into Deep Space than a movie about the Earth’s acceptance of visitors from outer space.” Fox, a studio long friendly with extraterrestrial-themed entertainment, has not indicated if the Star Wars films will be similarly broadcast, or if Independence Day will follow suit as a warning to any disgruntled fans in the cosmos.
What does your civilization think about The Day The Earth Stood Still being transmitted into space?
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