Will Wachowskis Return to Form With 'Cloud Atlas' Adaptation?

A project that has many moviegoers excited is the big-screen adaptation of "Cloud Atlas." Directors the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer ("Run Lola Run," "Perfume:The Story of a Murderer") tackled the huge undertaking. It is based on the 2004 novel by David Mitchell.

The book tells six different tales that span the Pacific Ocean of the 1850s to the futuristic city of Seoul in the 2100s. Per the plot synopsis, "the narrators of" each story observe one another's "echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small."

Concept art has been released for "Cloud Atlas," further building up excitement for the film. One piece is of Seoul in the year 2144. It has that "Blade Runner" look to it that we seem to always get when we're being transported to a dystopian future.

Another image resembles what could be a poster for the film. It has a ship from the 1800s sailing toward the futuristic city of Seoul through the clouds. It's a perfect representation of the past colliding with the future. There's also an image of the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer standing in a room of film props from the different eras in which the project is set. Another one pictures Korean star Bae Doona ("The Host") as the genetically engineered clone Sonmi-451.

The cast of the movie is made up of an extremely impressive group of actors. They include Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy, and Jim Sturgess. Many of them will play multiple roles in the film.

"Cloud Atlas" appears to bring the Wachowskis back around to directing thought-provoking and visually spectacular films like "The Matrix" and "V for Vendetta." Many wondered if the duo would ever bounce back from the disaster of "Speed Racer." Personally, I felt that film was a perfect live-action representation of the classic cartoon. Apparently not enough people agreed with me. It was a box office and critical disaster. This film could redeem the Wachowskis in the eyes of audiences and critics alike. It is scheduled for release in October 2012.

For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:

Grant Morrison Talks Relaunching Action Comics and Superman's Career
Could We See a Batman/Superman Team-Up Movie Soon?
Analyzing the New Man of Steel's Wardrobe

Eric Shirey is the founder and former editor of Rondo Award nominated movie news websites MovieGeekFeed.com and TheSpectralRealm.com. His work has been featured on Yahoo!, DC Comics, StarWars.com, and other entertainment websites. Eric has interviewed and worked with actors like Harrison Ford, Brooke Shields, Gerard Butler, Brendan Fraser, Selena Gomez, and many more.

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