Young Stars Lead CHAOS WALKING
When it comes to new science fiction films, our demands are pretty simple. We want surprising stories set in fully-imagined worlds populated with robust characters whose courage and determination reflect our own dreams. That shouldn’t be so much to ask.
OK, fine, it’s a lot to ask — and CHAOS WALKING is ready to deliver. The film, which hits theaters on March 1, is directed by EDGE OF TOMORROW filmmaker Doug Liman, based on the fan-favorite novel The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. With two young stars — Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland — leading the cast, CHAOS WALKING is one of our most anticipated movies of the year.
A New World
The movie is based on the 2008 young adult novel, The Knife of Never Letting Go, by Patrick Ness. That’s the first installment of the Chaos Walking trilogy, a critically-acclaimed dystopian sci-fi series with a huge fan following.
CHAOS WALKING focuses on a dystopian future where all women and nearly all men are killed by a virus. That’s what young Todd Hewitt was lead to believe, anyway, as he was raised in the New World colony. Those who survived the outbreak have an ability called “noise,” which allows them to read the minds of humans and animals. Todd starts to question what he’s been taught when he meets Viola, who doesn’t possess Noise. The duo set out to investigate what really happened in New World.
Franchise Stars
22-year-old Tom Holland plays Todd Hewitt. Holland has extensive experience in theatre, film, and dance, but you probably know him as Spider-Man. Holland made his feature film debut in 2012’s THE IMPOSSIBLE, and has since appeared in EDGE OF WINTER, IN THE HEART OF THE SEA, and THE LOST CITY OF Z. And then there’s his role as Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Daisy Ridley plays the mysterious Viola Eade. She started off in theatre before getting a life-changing role. The 26-year-old English actress was thrust into the spotlight when she debuted as Rey in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Since then, Ridley has appeared in STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, as well as MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, OPHELIA, and PETER RABBIT, in which she voiced Cotton-Tail.
Starry Support
There’s great talent around that lead duo. Mads Mikkelsen, recently seen in ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, plays David Prentiss, Todd’s mentor and the mayor of New World. When Todd starts to question Prentiss, don’t expect the older man to take it well.
Fortunately there’s an ally for the lead duo: Hildy, the leader of a peaceful New World settlement. She’s played by Cynthia Erivo (above), one of 2018’s MVPs. And Demián Bichir and Kurt Sutter play the adoptive fathers of young Todd. CHAOS WALKING also stars Nick Jonas as David Prentiss Jr., the son of the mayor, and David Oyelowo as a dangerous New World priest who targets Todd and Viola.