Valerian even includes a nod to the earlier film with a shop called "Korbens". Reception and Legacy
The film's casting also leans heavily into avant-garde pop culture. Rihanna steals the second act as Bubble, a shape-shifting alien entertainer trapped in a futuristic red-light district. Her performance—which transitions from a jaw-dropping, costume-fluid dance routine into a tragic story of an undocumented immigrant alien seeking freedom—serves as a microcosm for the film’s underlying themes of empathy and displacement. Alongside Ethan Hawke's manic performance as Jolly the Pimp, these character vignettes ensure that the universe feels deeply textured and unpredictable. The Legacy of Besson's Space Opera Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - E...
For years, Besson harbored the desire to adapt the property but found himself bottlenecked by the limitations of practical effects. It wasn't until James Cameron released Avatar in 2009 that Besson realized computer-generated imagery had finally evolved enough to properly depict the complex alien biomes of the source material. Valerian even includes a nod to the earlier
In an era dominated by superhero formulas and legacy sequels, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets stands out as a flawed but fearless work of passion. It is a film that shouldn’t exist: a $180 million European art film disguised as a space opera. Besson bet everything on the idea that beauty and imagination could overcome narrative deficiencies. It wasn't until James Cameron released Avatar in
The heart of the story is , the "City of a Thousand Planets." What began as the International Space Station in the 21st century grew over centuries as hundreds of alien species docked their own modules, sharing knowledge, technology, and culture. It is a sprawling, peaceful metropolis where millions of beings from across the universe coexist—ranging from gas-breathing giants to microscopic digital entities.
Many search for "E" looking for the film’s connection to Star Wars (The Empire). While there is no direct link, the film serves as a meta-commentary on imperialism. The human Federation is the "Empire" here—well-intentioned but covering up the genocide of the Pearls to protect their reputation.