Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson face danger in space in new footage from Moonfall shown at CinemaCon. Moonfall is an upcoming science-fiction action thriller written and directed by Roland Emmerich. Along with Berry and Wilson, the film also stars John Bradley, Michael Pena, Donald Sutherland, and Charlie Plummer. It’s currently scheduled to premiere on February 4, 2022.
Moonfall is centered on a pair of astronauts (Berry and Wilson) and a conspiracy theorist (Bradley) as they attempt to save humanity from destruction. The film is a return to genre for Emmerich, whose other disaster movie credentials include Godzilla (1998), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), 2012 (2009), and Independence Day: Resurgence (2016). After pitting Earth against aliens, climate change, and the Mayan apocalypse, Emmerich’s latest threat is the moon itself, which is mysteriously knocked out of its orbit and sent hurtling towards Earth. Moonfall began filming back in October of 2020, which Emmerich announced via Twitter, and it now seems footage is ready to be shown off.
During CinemaCon 2021, Emmerich showcased new footage from his upcoming film, Moonfall, which features Berry and Wilson's trouble in space. In what is apparently the opening scene of the film, the footage shows the two astronauts (Berry and Wilson) fixing a satellite and discussing the lyrics of the song “Africa,” when a “black substance” hits the spaceship and sends it spinning out of control. The scene then cuts to the surface of the moon where a tornado of sorts starts to form. View a detailed transcription of the footage below:
"Opens in space, on the Moon in the distance with the STS-126A satellite. The date is January 12, 2011. 'Africa' plays in the background, while two astronauts - Patrick Wilson's Brian Harper and another astronaut - fixing the satellite. Halle Berry's Jo Fowler is in the shuttle; she and Brian discuss the meaning of 'Africa's' lyrics. Marcus says they're like an old married couple, and Brian says Jo is his work-wife. Jo skipped her honeymoon to go to space. While Brian sings 'Africa', their comms cut out and a large, black substance hits the ship. They lose Marcus. Brian falls into the open space shuttle, while it starts to spin out of control. He manages to get inside, avoiding the satellite's debris. Inside, Jo is floating unconscious. Brian tries to hail Marcus on the radio, but is unable to. He then attempts to stabilize the shuttle. The sound goes from sharp, high pitch noises inside the shuttle to silent outside. Brian whispers, 'No, Marcus. No.' Then looking at Jo, he says, 'I'm going to get you home.' Then he looks directly at the Moon. Cut to the surface of the Moon, we see a tornado forming, of sorts. Title card - Moonfall."
Set in January of 2011, just one year before Emmerich’s disaster film, 2012, it’s clear that Moonfall doesn’t take place in the future like many other science-fiction movies. In fact, the film seems to take root in pop culture back on Earth, with both astronauts discussing the song “Africa,” which was made famous by the band Toto and released back in 1982. While many misinterpret the song as one man’s personal romance, it’s really about the man’s love of the continent of Africa. Given the fact that the astronauts in Moonfall are trying to save Earth, the song fits fairly well.
Moonfall has a strong cast behind it and Emmerich is no stranger to disaster movies. The footage showcased at CinemaCon is definitely entertaining and is sure to leave fans wanting more. While it’s currently unknown what causes the moon to fall out of orbit, whether it be aliens or some natural cause, it is clear that the film will be one thrilling ride when it’s released.