Its based on Wilsons first fictional work, the 2009 short story of the same name.

We spoke to Daniel about the story, the film, and also grabbed an update onRobopocalypse…

But I had always wanted to write these stories, with something poignant and emotional.

I was inspired to writeThe Nostalgistby a number of things.

One was Ernest Hemingway.

Which is this boy, who is there when he leaves and there when he comes back.

That definitely inspired the relationship between the old man and the boy inThe Nostalgist.

I really liked that having your individual idea of what a utopia would look like.

Well its interesting, because I think you might go too far with coming up your words.

But when you sprinkle them in, it can create that atmosphere.

And again, its vanilla city essentially, thats why its called Vanille.

Vanille and gonfabs are both French…

It was a very sexist idea of the future.

And, Giacomo [Cimini, the director of the film adaptation] changed that for the short film.

Its got this Victorian vibe in the film, hasnt it?

And it makes perfect sense for filming, and for making it on a budget.

What appealed to you about undercutting the utopia and putting that more uncomfortable sci-fi future underneath?

When theres not a lot of time, you’re free to invoke a lot through cultural means.

We all know whatBlade Runnerlooked like, maybe because its been copied again and again.

So that visual style allowed us to do that really quickly.

How important do you think it is for sci-fi to do that?

That morbid foretelling of this is where were headed!?

Its quite integral to the genre isnt it?

I think it is.

Again, thats a reason why I dont go too crazy with the terminology.

Robotics and philosophy are two things youve studied, and they crash together into this quite emotional story.

Would you call this a very personal story, or even a passion project?

And Im really happy that Giacomo could show me that.

It took so much effort, and so much time.

So how did that relationship with you and Giacomo come to be?

Who made the first move there?

And I said sure!

and I really expected nothing, you know?

Most of time, people are blowing smoke.

Its really hard to tell who, in the world, is serious.

And Giacomo is obviously really passionate, so that goes a long way to convince you.

Then he came back to me and said [awful Italian accent:] Daniel!

We are doing it!

[laughs]

Even then, I didnt get it, you know?

And then I got there and it was like a hundred people it was so professional!

I was immediately staggered.

What was it like for you to see those characters brought to life in front of you?

A lot of the dialogue was the same, as the short story, too.

So that was really incredible.

As soon as I got there I was able to talk to the actors.

There was one of them, a militia-man, and he has this scar on his face.

And he has the scar in the short story, as well.

I talked to him and I said do you know why you have that scar?

and he was like no!

Dont tell me this was after they had already finished filming his part?

He was just sitting down preparing to go on!

Yeah, it was funny.

Really there was nothing for me to do!

On set, I was like the most worthless person there!

In London as well, actually.

So I was still smarting from that.

But then I got there, and it was like oh, wow!

So that was really great timing!

Speaking of features, Ive heard there might be a feature-lengthNostalgistfilm, can you tell us anything about that?

[Pause] Um, yeah, I can.

I am developing a feature version, with Giacomo.

And yeah, it does inhabit the same world.

It does get into the dynamic of the shared ImmerSyst system, and what that means.

Class, and what it means for that.

Its that same emotion.

Yeah, you cant just cover it up.

That comes across in the short too, with the revelation and it all starts piecing itself together.

But in the short film he doesnt heal.

He goes back to the illusion.

And the boy helps him.

And, you know, part of that dynamic I was inspired by this TV show calledIntervention.

Which is about family members getting together to give an intervention to somebody they love.

Someone whos addicted to drugs.

But hes not sure that he can survive the hurt.

So he chooses not to hurt him.

Nobody deserves to have a film made out of what they write.

Its an amazing honour to have anything made, and for anyone to care!

Or even to read something you wrote!

And its that same thing its not mine.

It belongs to everybody that worked on it.

And I love that its not exactly the same as the short story.

So its, really, a step along the road.

Im definitely feeling very lucky to be able to sit down and watch it.

And it made my mum cry!

[laughs] It made my mum cry like a baby!

Oh wow, thats the dream!

Where is it at?

Is it still happening?

Is there a timeline?

Its basically in the queue as far as I know.

You know, Spielberg has other movies that hes directing right now.

ButRobopocalypsehas certainly been worked on.

Im sure that Dreamworks is still very excited about it.

Thats what all indications are.

Its just about being patient, you know?

So it could be a while!

I dont really know what a timeline is, but thats certainly normal.

So Im just being patient and working on all my projects.

It would be some wonderful bonus points if that ever comes together.

I kind of prefer to be on a more even keel when I can!

Daniel H. Wilson, thank you very much.

The Nostalgistshort film is available online via We Are Colonyhere.

The short story is also onlinehere.