With the director’s cut release of “Dark City” last week on DVD, sci-fi fans may be discovering or re-discovering the visionary work of director Alex Proyas.
Fans who may be coming to the director’s work for the first time through the updated “Dark City” may wonder just what we can expect next from Proyas. The good news is you won’t have to wait long. The director just wrapped shooting on his next feature, “Knowing.”
Starring Nicolas Cage, “Knowing” is about an MIT professor (Cage) who opens a time capsule that has been dug up at his son’s elementary school; in it are some chilling predictions — some that have already occurred and others that are about to — that lead him to believe his family plays a role in the events that are about to unfold.
“It’s a cool, original, and I think unique story. I think we’ve made a movie that is quite different,” said Proyas. “It’s a very interesting mix of things, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this combination on film before.”
Proyas has a long history in directing sci-fi features, including “Dark City,” “The Crow,” and “I, Robot.” Proyas said that he is drawn to the genre, “because I always see it as being hugely relevant to the times that we live in, you know?”
When asked about “Knowing,” Proyas said, “The film is a philosophical exploration, as much as anything else. So we asked a lot of questions. We don’t fully know the answers to a lot of the questions we’re asking. But it’s a complex question, but it certainly does – you know, I’m a student. I’m not a particularly religious guy, but I’m sort of a student of religion. And I really – I want to know why we’re here, as much as anyone. And the film kind of explores those issues.”
In addition to starring Cage, “Knowing” — also features Australian actress Rose Byrne — will hit theaters in early 2009.
Proyas is one of my top Directors (if you can’t tell by my name). I’ll even forgive the man for casting Cage in his next movie.