Visual effects powerhouse MPC has contributed significantly to the upcoming Netflix film “Spaceman,” collaborating closely with director Johan Renck and production VFX supervisor Matt Sloan. The film, starring Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan, follows the journey of astronaut Jakub as he grapples with his personal life amidst a solitary mission to the edge of the solar system.
With MPC serving as the sole vendor for “Spaceman,” they undertook the responsibility of bringing to life various crucial elements of the movie, including the enigmatic Chopra dust cloud and the character of Hanuš, a mysterious creature aiding Jakub on his mission.
According to VFX supervisor Craig Calvert, the majority of the shots created by MPC revolve around the Chopra cloud and the interactions within it, along with crafting the ambiance for Jakub’s recollection sequences.
The process began in 2020 when MPC’s art department, led by art director Leandre Lagrange, collaborated with director Renck to conceptualize the look of the Chopra cloud and its integration into the film’s narrative. Challenges included defining the cloud’s appearance and ensuring its synchronization with Jakub’s thoughts.
Meanwhile, MPC’s previs team, led by supervisor Isaac Hingley, worked on blocking and choreographing action sequences during pre-production. Post principal photography, postvis supervisor Herman Lee joined the team to enhance the editing process and bring environments to life, particularly focusing on Hanuš’ performance.
MPC’s efforts extended to creating various settings and environments for the film, including the intricate interior of the Chopra cloud, described as visualizing “every sound in the universe.” The studio’s FX department faced challenges in developing and executing this concept, both creatively and technologically.
A notable achievement was the creation of Hanuš, a CG character inspired by tarantulas and voiced by Paul Dano. The animation team meticulously crafted Hanuš’ performance to align with Dano’s delivery, ensuring authenticity and subtlety in the character’s expressions and movements.
In addition to these elements, MPC also handled the creation of space environments, the Jan Hus1 space shuttle, and digital doubles of Jakub for exterior shots.
Overall, MPC’s contribution to “Spaceman” highlights their expertise in crafting immersive visual effects that elevate the storytelling experience. With over 800 shots delivered, their work promises to captivate audiences when the film premieres on Netflix.
