"The Moonwalkers" is landing in Houston.
More than a year after the immersive film debuted in London, "The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks" is set to make its U.S. premiere at Space Center Houston in February 2025. Projected against multiple walls, "The Moonwalkers" envelops audiences in the story of humanity's journey to the moon, from the historic launches more than 50 years ago to the current efforts to return astronauts to the lunar surface today.
"I'm delighted to be bringing this project home to the place where the moonwalkers lived and worked throughout the Apollo program and where today's Artemis crews are preparing to follow in their footsteps," said Hanks in a statement.
In addition to narrating the 50-minute production, Hanks co-wrote "Moonwalkers" with Christopher Riley, who is known for his work on space-theme documentaries for the BBC, Netflix and PBS. The film features original NASA mission audio alongside Hanks' voice, accompanied by an original score recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios.
Related: Tom Hanks returns to the moon with 'The Moonwalkers,' a new visual experience
"The Moonwalkers" also features the Artemis 2 crew, including NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, as well as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The four are now slated to launch no earlier than April 2026, to become the first people to fly to the moon since the Apollo 17 astronauts in December 1972.
On screen, "The Moonwalkers" draws from the film and image archive created by the 12 people (to date) who have walked on the moon. These include photographs reworked by digital image restorer Andy Saunders for his 2022 book "Apollo Remastered," which impart new clarity and vibrancy to the Apollo visual record.
"We are thrilled to be the first in the Americas to showcase this epic film," said William Harris, president and CEO of Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas. "'The Moonwalkers' aligns perfectly with our mission to bring people closer to space."
"Our guests will be awe-struck," said Harris, "as they embark on an immersive, unforgettable journey beyond Earth."
Co-directed by Nick Corrigan and Lysander Ashton of 59 Studio, the film will be screened daily in Space Center Houston's newly renovated Space Center Theater, offering guests an ongoing opportunity to experience "The Moonwalkers." The upgrades to the theater will enhance the viewing experience, recreating the original U.K. production.
"The Moonwalkers" first opened at Lightroom, near King's Cross station, in December 2023. First set for a four-month run, "The Moonwalkers" at Lightroom has been extended three times with tickets still available for shows through April 27, 2025. Space Center Houston is the first location outside of Lightroom to host the groundbreaking film.
Showtimes, tickets and other details for "The Moonwalkers'" first U.S. engagement are still to be announced.
Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on X at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2024 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
