STX Entertainment Takes Trip Across Space With An Intergalactic Love Story

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Jul 31, 2015, 02:28 ET

BURBANK, Calif., July 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- STX Entertainment has announced the cast for their untitled intergalactic love story directed by Peter Chelsom and set to star Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield, Carla Gugino and Britt Robertson, it was announced today by Adam Fogelson, Chairman of the STX Entertainment Motion Picture Group, and Oren Aviv, President and Chief Content Officer for STX.

In this modern love story about two galaxy-crossed teens from different worlds, Gardner Elliot, the first human born on Mars, is secretly raised in an experimental colony on the red planet after his astronaut mother dies during childbirth. Sixteen years later, Gardner begins an online romance with a girl living in Colorado and hatches a plan to travel across the universe to meet her. Now, on the run, with Earth's gravity threatening his very existence, Gardner must race against time and nature to find his love and win her heart. Once united, the two teens venture to seek out the enigmatic billionaire who funded the original expedition to Mars, in hopes of uncovering information about Gardner's mother and the mysterious circumstances surrounding how Gardner came into existence.

"This is a unique, well-crafted personal story set against an expansive landscape, and we are thrilled to be a part of this film and work with this enormously talented cast," said Adam Fogelson. "The film has a completely authentic voice and the kinds of nuanced characters who are distinctive and truly memorable. We were drawn in by this story and its universal themes of longing for community and love. We can't wait to begin shooting with Peter Chelsom and Richard Lewis, and the entire production team.

"I couldn't be happier that this movie has found a home in the incredibly capable hands of STX's world-class team," said producer Richard Lewis. "Having this project in the care of Adam, Oren and such an accomplished group of executives, who have a shared vision for this film, is a dream come true. I am so excited to see Gary Oldman, Asa Butterfield, Carla Gugino and Britt Robertson bring flesh and blood to these dynamic characters in the hands of the incredibly talented Peter Chelsom. These are true breakout roles for Asa and Britt."

Butterfield first garnered attention from critics with his lead role in the 2008 historical drama The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, earning him a nomination for "Most Promising Newcomer" at that year's British Independent Film Awards. Butterfield went on to gain attention with his eponymous role in the film Hugo, which was met with widespread critical acclaim. Most recently, he was nominated for "Best Actor" at the 2014 British Independent Film Awards for his performance in X+Y, set to be released in the US this fall under the title A Brilliant Young Mind. He can next be seen starring in 10,000 Saints, and in 2016 will star in the highly-anticipated Tim Burton fantasy Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. His other film credits include Ender's Game and The Wolfman. Robertson first made her debut in the 2003 film The Ghost Club, for which she was nominated for a Young Artist Award. She has since appeared in a number of prominent films including Scream 4, The Longest Ride, Cake, and most recently, Tomorrowland, alongside George Clooney.

The film, which begins production this fall, is produced by Richard Lewis. Executive producers are Allan Loeb, Steven Pearl and Doug Urbanski, with Gabrielle Jerou co-producing. Based on a story written by Richard Lewis, Stewart Schill and Allan Loeb, the screenplay is by Allan Loeb, with revisions by Peter Chelsom & Tinker Lindsay.

ABOUT STX ENTERTAINMENT

STX Entertainment is a fully-integrated motion picture and television studio specializing in the production, marketing, and distribution of talent-driven films and television programming. The multi-platform studio is rapidly moving to include digital production and distribution, in addition to gaming. It is the first major studio to be launched at this scale in Hollywood in more than twenty years.

STX Entertainment recently announced its first four theatrical release dates. On August 7, 2015, the studio will release The Gift, a contemporary psychological thriller from Jason Blum's Blumhouse, written and directed by Joel Edgerton and starring Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Edgerton. Secret in Their Eyes will be released on November 20, 2015. The crime thriller is written and directed by Billy Ray and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts. On January 22, 2016, STX will release The Boy, a horror film from director William Brent Bell (The Devil Inside), written by Stacey Menear and starring Lauren Cohan ("The Walking Dead"). And March 11, 2016, brings the release of the epic action-drama The Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keri Russell and Mahershala Ali from writer-director and 4-time Academy Award nominee Gary Ross.