New ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ Image Puts Dane DeHaan in the Driver’s Seat

Director Luc Besson’s latest project is yet another sci-fi film, but unlike Lucy, this one looks a bit closer in style and tone to The Fifth Element. Based on the classic French graphic novel series, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets has the potential to be quite epic, and hopefully we’ll get a better sense of what to expect when the film hits Hall H at Comic-Con later today. Until then, EuropaCorp has unveiled a new official image from the upcoming film, featuring a very determined Dane DeHaan.

The new film co-stars DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as a pair of special government agents tasked with keeping the peace in a futuristic (and very stylish, from what we’ve seen) intergalactic society. Besson recently wrapped principal photography on his long-gestating passion project, and though he shared several set photos and a couple of videos along the way, the image below is the first official still we’ve seen from the film:

It’s a bit too early for Besson to debut a trailer at Comic-Con, but a brief teaser probably isn’t out of the question. For more details, here’s the official synopsis:

Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives for the government of the human territories charged with maintaining order throughout the universe. Valerian has more in mind than a professional relationship with his partner- blatantly chasing after her with propositions of romance. But his extensive history with women, and her traditional values, drive Laureline to continuously rebuff him.

Under directive from their Commander (Clive Owen), Valerian and Laureline embark on a mission to the breathtaking intergalactic city of Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis comprised of thousands of different species from all four corners of the universe. Alpha’s seventeen million inhabitants have converged over time- uniting their talents, technology and resources for the betterment of all. Unfortunately, not everyone on Alpha shares in these same objectives; in fact, unseen forces are at work, placing our race in great danger.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets also stars Clive Owen, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Rihanna and jazz legend Herbie Hancock, and hits theaters on July 21, 2017.