'Lucy in the Sky': Release date, plot, cast, trailers and everything you need to know about the Natalie Portman starrer

The drama is loosely based on the true story of NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak who was arrested in 2007 and subsequently charged with attempted kidnapping and murder of a fellow astronaut
UPDATED AUG 26, 2019

In 2007, a NASA astronaut was arrested and subsequently convicted for the kidnapping and attempted murder of a fellow astronaut for being romantically involved with a male astronaut she had an affair with.

Lisa Nowak carried latex gloves, a black wig, a BB pistol and ammunition, pepper spray, a hooded tan trench coat, a two-pound drilling hammer, black gloves, rubber tubing, plastic garbage bags, approximately $585 in cash, her computer, an eight-inch Gerber folding knife and several other items before driving the 900 miles from Houston to Orlando, Florida, to confront the new lover. Nowak was subsequently arrested at Orlando International Airport on charges of attempted kidnapping, battery, attempted vehicle burglary with battery, and destruction of evidence. 

Natalie Portman's new movie 'Lucy in the Sky' is loosely based on Nowak's obsessive tale of a romance gone wrong. The trailer for the movie shows us Natalie Portman playing the role of Lucy Cola alongside Jon Hamm, who essays the role of Mark Goodwin, and Zazie Beetz as Erin Eccles.  

Release date

'Lucy in the Sky' is scheduled to be released on October 4, 2019.

Plot

'Lucy in the Sky' tells the story of a female astronaut who, upon returning to Earth from a life-changing mission in space, begins to slowly unravel and lose touch with reality, according to the official synopsis. After returning to earth, the world seems a bit too tiny for her. Her psychological decline culminates in a fevered cross-country trip with violent intentions in this complex, thrilling and darkly comedic character study.

The drama is loosely based on the true story of NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak, who was arrested in 2007 and subsequently charged with attempted kidnapping and murder of a fellow astronaut Colleen Shipman, who was romantically involved with astronaut William Oefelein. 

Cast

Natalie Portman as Lucy Cola

Natalie Portman of Marvel Studios' 'Thor: Love and Thunder' at the San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H on July 20, 2019, in San Diego, California. (Getty Images)

Portman will be playing the role of Lucy Cola, a character that is loosely based on the romantic misadventures – which is really sugar-coating it – of real-life NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak.

The actress is best known for her roles in 'Léon: The Professional', 'Black Swan', for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, 'No Strings Attached', 'Thor', and 'Thor: The Dark World'.

Jon Hamm as Mark Goodwin

Actor Jon Hamm attends the "The Report" Premiere during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theatre on January 26, 2019, in Park City, Utah. (Getty Images)

Hamm is set to play the role of Mark Goodwin, who is, in all likelihood, the character based on astronaut William Oefelein. 

Hamm is best known for his role of Don Draper in 'Mad Men'. He was last seen in 'Good Omens' on Amazon Prime Video. He is also known for his roles on '30 Rock', 'Black Mirror', 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp'. 

Creators

Noah Hawley attends the LA Premiere Of FX's 'Legion' Season 3 at ArcLight Hollywood on June 13, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Getty Images)

The upcoming drama film is directed by Noah Hawley in his directorial feature film debut. Hawley is best known for creating and writing 'Fargo' and 'Legion'. 

Brian C Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi and Hawley have written the screenplay. The story was by Brown and DiGuiseppi. Reese Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea, John Cameron and Hawley have produced the movie. 

Trailers



 

A trailer for the movie was released August 26 showing Lucy's obsession with going back to space slowly causing her life to crumble around her. There are scenes showing her obsession causing problems with her husband Drew (Dan Stevens) and hints of an affair with fellow astronaut Jon Hamm's Mark Goodwin.

Throughout, she is seen training herself and fighting with her bosses to go back into space, which she calls "The only place where anything makes sense." Meanwhile, an instrumental version of The Beatles' 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' plays in the background, giving it all a very surreal, transcendental feel.



 

In 'Lucy in the Sky', Natalie Portman plays the role of astronaut Lucy Cola, who returns to Earth after a transcendental experience during a mission to space, which makes her lose touch with reality in a world that now seems too small. 

Where to watch

'Lucy in the Sky' is scheduled to hit theatres on October 4, 2019. 

If you like this, you'll love these:

'Martian'

'Gravity'

'Interstellar'

'Hidden Figures

'First Man'

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