Peter Jackson has created worlds filled with elves, dwarves, and giant apes that climb skyscrapers, but Mortal Engines appears to be his wildest endeavor yet.
In the teaser released Monday for the Christian Rivers–directed film, cowritten and co-produced by Jackson, we get a glimpse of a post-apocalyptic steampunk world, where gigantic cities now roam the Earth preying on smaller towns to replenish their resources. If that doesn’t have you at the edge of your seat, here’s an example of London consuming one:
Notice the British flag on the teeth of London as it swallows a village into the depths of its belly. As for what happens next in this barren world, your guess is as good as mine. The film is based on a novel by Philip Reeve that is part of a series of three other books featuring massive, carnivorous cities. Mortal Engines centers on Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan), a resident of that predatory version of London, and a dangerous fugitive named Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), as they cross paths and look to change the course of this ill-fated civilization (and hopefully avoid getting eaten themselves).
All I know is that this movie looks like Mad Max meets Howl’s Moving Castle, and I’m completely here for it—and it seems we’ll have to wait awhile, since the release date appears to be at the end of next year. Bring on the battle of the mobile cities.
