The trailer for Mortal Engines, coming to theaters December 14, 2018, has hit the internet after its debut at New York City Comic Con. The big name behind it is Peter Jackson, who came to fame after his adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Jackson is known for sweepingly epic stories, and the official trailer certainly teases that.
Mortal Engines takes on the fantasy/sci-fi genre with a story set after a great cataclysmic event that has changed the way mankind survives. Now, they have become mobile. Homes and towns roam the land on wheels. But this has also given way to huge cities, particularly London, which is a predator city that devours all others in its path. Our protagonist is Hester Shaw, played by Hera Hilmar (Anna Karenina, Life in a Fishbowl) who is out to avenge her mother’s death by the hands of a man named Valentine. Valentine is played by Hugo Weaving, who also worked with Jackson when he portrayed Elrond in The Lord of the Rings. It seems that Valentine is in control of London, and has some type of weapon that will cement the city’s dominance. Hester teams up with London outcast Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan known for Genius) and dangerous outlaw Anna Fang (Jihae known for Mars).
The director is Christian Rivers, and the producers are Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Deborah Forte, Zane Weiner, and Amanda Walker. Universal Pictures is the production company Jackson has turned to so Mortal Engines can become a reality.
The trailer certainly looks interesting. Aside from Jihae, the cast doesn’t seem very diverse, but the characters do appear to have depth. The graphics are detailed and fascinating and there are plenty of wide, sweeping shots that Jackson is well-known for. It’s unknown whether this will be a single movie or the first in a trilogy. Come December, we will see if Jackson has successfully brought Mortal Engines to life.
What are your thoughts on the Mortal Engines trailer? Let us know in the comments below!
