No spoilers though… Promise!
Alfonso Cuarón’s eagerly awaited film GRAVITY is released in Irish cinemas this week. To celebrate the release of the film we have been waiting for all year, we have gathered together some spoiler free factoids about the film…
Gravity had languished in development hell for four years, because the film’s ambition – in terms of the cinematography, visual effects, and realistic “story atmosphere” of outer space – proved to be too challenging and Cuarón had to wait for the technology to be far more advanced and progressed to meet his vision.
… It was finally made possible in 2009, after James Cameron broke new ground for AVATAR.
In 2010, it was reported that Angelina Jolie was interested in the role that eventually became Sandra Bullock’s. Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively were also being eyed for the role of Dr. Stone.
… We are in full support of Sandra here. It’s been too long since we’ve seen her in a dramatic role.
Robert Downey Jr. was in talks for the lead male role in the film, in 2010.
… We love RDJ, but Clooney’s is a voice we could listen to all day. Even if it’s only over a NASA radio.
After seeing GRAVITY, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted; “Gravity was fun last night. Fantastic visuals, relentless, Sandra Bullock was great. I’d fly with her”.
… That’s good enough for us!
Cuarón and his team created an animated version of GRAVITY first, to map out the specifics of the film before they shot it.
… The director said “We could have released an animated version with the voices of Sandra Bullock and George Clooney”
Sandra Bullock spent six months in physical training to prepare for shooting while reviewing the script with Cuarón in meticulous detail.
… We admire such dedication!
The length of the film is 90 minutes. It just so happens that the ISS travels around the Earth in 90 minutes.
… So while you watch GRAVITY, the ISS makes one complete orbit of the Earth.
The off-screen voice of Mission Control is Ed Harris.
… Harris played Mission Control in another film; APOLLO 13.
A chance meeting led to Astronaut Cady Coleman placing a phone call from the International Space Station to Sandra Bullock, to speak with her about life in space.
… We’re sure this led to Bullock understanding and appreciating her role even more.
The number 42 is featured in one scene. In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything.
… We’re sure Douglas Adams would be pleased with this homage.
GRAVITY is in Irish cinemas from November 8th
Words: Brogen Hayes