The Cinematic Legacy and Futuristic Vision: Unveiling the Inspirations Behind The Creator with Sci-Fi Movie Director

Summary

Distinguished from other science fiction narratives, this film delves into the concept of a society that continues to operate amidst a war against artificial intelligence.

Focused on the battle for survival, The Creator presents an unofficial addition to the Blade Runner series, showcasing Gareth Edwards' triumphant return to directing in a thrilling and distinctive manner.

Drawing from various genres, director Gareth Edwards explores how Apocalypse Now and Blade Runner have influenced his captivating new science fiction action film, The Creator. This highly anticipated movie marks Edwards' first venture behind the camera in seven years, following his acclaimed work on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Anchored by the talented John David Washington, The Creator centers around a mourning ex-special forces operative tasked with ending the ongoing conflict between humanity and artificial intelligence, only to uncover that the target he was sent to annihilate is a mere child.

At San Diego Comic-Con, Screen Rant had an exclusive interview with Gareth Edwards, the creator of the upcoming sci-fi action movie. When discussing the development of the film's world, Edwards revealed that his inspiration came from a trip to Vietnam, which was initiated by fellow MonsterVerse director Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The vivid imagery and associations with "Apocalypse Now" during his visit sparked the idea of a war movie set in a Blade Runner-esque universe. Edwards shared his experience below:

There's a lot to say about it. Strangely enough, one of the reasons I was motivated to make this film is because I found myself in Thailand. Personally, I despise the task of writing films. It feels like tedious homework, one of the worst things ever. But it's a necessary evil. To make the process more bearable, I came up with a plan – I would treat myself to a luxurious resort and not leave until I finished the script. So, I headed to this desired location in Thailand and began working on this science fiction concept. Just then, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, the director of Skull Island, contacted me from Vietnam, which was just across the border. He invited me to join him there and explore the area. In his message, he described how amazing and captivating it was. I thought to myself, "Well, I don't really have an excuse not to go."

While touring all of Vietnam, I couldn't help but be reminded of the Vietnam War and films like Apocalypse Now. Even in the remote paddy fields, my mind still had a science fiction element to it. I found myself observing everyone around me, imagining them as robots and thinking, "Wow, this is really cool." I would see Buddhist monks in temples and envision them as robots too, questioning the surreal experience. The easiest way to convey this to others was to imagine if someone were to create Apocalypse Now in the Blade Runner universe. It felt like a missing DVD on my shelf.

Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and acknowledges that the movie being referenced would not exist without the contributions of writers and actors in both unions.

How The Creator Can Set Itself Apart From Similar Sci-Fi Stories

Edwards' comparison of The Creator to an Apocalypse Now-like story set in the Blade Runner universe is a promising sign for the movie's unique approach in the sci-fi genre. In recent years, the concept of a powerful male figure overseeing a younger person who holds the key to humanity's fate has gained popularity, with movies like Logan and TV shows like HBO's The Last of Us adaptation and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon following this trend.

Although The Creator trailers suggest a similar evolution of the central relationship as other genre efforts, presenting the movie as more of a war drama would greatly enhance the storytelling of AI-centric sci-fi. While the Terminator movies have touched on the idea of a war-stricken future, no film has fully explored what a functioning society in that context would look like. Edwards' approach would establish higher stakes for each character's journey and help viewers to become more invested in their stories.

If Edwards' ambitions are successful, it would also provide audiences with an unofficial Blade Runner installment known as The Creator, which delves into the AI's struggle for survival. While Ridley Scott's original film and its sequel, Blade Runner 2049, alluded to significant rebellions and wars among the replicants attempting to break free from their enslavement, they never fully depicted these battles as The Creator could. This unique opportunity allows Edwards' directing comeback to distinguish itself from other works in the genre, offering various thrilling possibilities.