Den of Geek: This is one of those properties that is not very familiar to Americans.
What do you think it has that can translate to audiences here who arent familiar with the books?
Luc Besson: Im not sure that we have to think about that when you do the film.
They want to see sequel #2, #3, #4, #5.
But I think much of the audience today is willing for fresh things.
Me, as an audience, Im ready for that.
Im a little fed up with (sequels); its all the same after a while.
So Id rather see fresh stuff.
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Youve read theValerianbooks since you were 10.
What do you love about them that you wanted to get onto the screen?
I love the team.
The guy, the girl, they are cops, special agents, they go through time and space.
ItsThe Streets of San Francisco.
Its just this team.
They are so cool together.
You know, they are on a spaceship which is a police car and they go for a mission.
The entire film takes 24 hours.
Hes a little pretentious, but hes self-aware.
And shes very old-fashioned.
So they are very human.
But the world around the story, the other characters are just crazy.
And they go through that like its normal.
That makes it funny.
Is that the kind of design and look that you wanted to get onto the screen?
When I was like 15, it was Moebius.
I got my first job at 16 atHeavy Metalas a script writer.
So I had my first four pages published and I was in this world.
So thats my culture.
I discovered things like Marvel way after, when I was more like 25.
You always have that.
These guys have probably read a couple of issues ofValerianand have said, God.
And they get inspired.
At the same time, I would probably never makeValerianif Ive not seenStar Warsat 16 years old.
So (George Lucas) inspired me a lot.
And then Jim Cameron invited me to the set ofAvatar.
He was so kind and gave me advice.
People get inspired by each other.
The real artists like Lucas and Spielberg, they are generous.
I mean the world ofStar Warsbelongs to Lucas.
And the work he has done is amazing.
Yeah, maybe a couple of artists around the world inspired him, but thats fine.
Thats OK. We all do that.
Tarantino said that he was very influenced byLeon.
But I never felt like he was stealing anything.
He has his own way of saying things thats so brilliant.
I would love to, because I love this character Adele.
Shes basically the grandmother of Indiana Jones.
But I hope we can.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planetsis out in theaters July 21, 2017.
