The Space Between Us Hits Theaters February 3rd

In this interplanetary adventure, shortly after arriving to help colonize Mars, an astronaut dies while giving birth to the first human born on the red planet – never revealing who the father is. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Gardner Elliot – an inquisitive, highly intelligent boy who reaches the age of 16 having only met 14 people in his very unconventional upbringing. While searching for clues about his father, and the home planet he’s never known, Gardner begins an online friendship with a street smart girl named Tulsa.

When he finally gets a chance to go to Earth, Gardner is eager to experience all of the wonders he could only read about on Mars. But after his explorations begin, scientists discover that Gardner’s organs can’t withstand Earth’s atmosphere. Gardner joins with Tulsa on a race against time to unravel the mysteries of how he came to be, and where he belongs in the universe.

We had a chance to speak to the filmmakers and actors from the movie last month after an early screening. It was a pleasure meeting all of them and one of the first things I asked each of them what their favorite thing was about Planet Earth.

The Roundtable Interviews included Asa Butterfield, Britt Robertson, Carla Gugino, director Peter Chelsom and producer Richard Lewis. You have seen a lot of Asa Butterfield lately, he was in Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, Ender’s Game and Hugo. He is just as sweet in person as you’d imagine him to be. When I asked what his favorite thing about Planet Earth is he didn’t miss a beat and said “food!” Especially baked beans and toast. I joked that must be an English thing and he said “yes, it is quite popular in England to eat beans and toast.” I will take his word for it but might pass on trying that combination out.

Actors Asa Butterfield and Britt Robertson were fun to interview!

And we’ve seen a lot of Britt Robertson as well these past few years. She was the star in “Tomorrowland” and in “The Longest Ride”. She said her favorite thing about our planet are the animals because they offer unconditional love. We spoke about our pets (my 125 pound German shepherd) and her two dogs she has at home ). One of the bloggers asked if they had been interested in space exploration before taking on the movie. Britt said she hadn’t been that interested before but became more so after working on the film. Asa mentioned that he had always liked space and he enjoyed working on the movie.

Carla Gugino was super down-to-earth, gorgeous and very open speaking about her experience with the film. When asked what her favorite thing is about the planet, she said “people.” She went on to say that she’s come to the realization that we all just want to love, be loved and have meaning in our lives.” She also mentioned that her parents had provided her with a rather eclectic childhood and was introduced to many types of people and feels this helped her to have an understanding of others more deeply. When preparing for the role of Genesis mission engineer, Kendra Wyndham, she spoke to women who were in the space program. She was intrigued by Kendra’s storyline, and why this woman would chose a more isolated environment on Mars, surrounded mostly by men. The women who had gone through the program said from an early age, they became use to the fact that most of the people in the program were male.

The filmmakers, director Peter Chelsom and producer Richard Barton Lewis were fascinating to speak to as well. They spoke about how the human need to connect has intrigued mankind since the beginning of literature. This need is the basis for “The Space Between Us” which began with a simple provocative premise: How far will we travel for a real human connection?

I told director Peter Chelsom (“Serendipity,” “Hector and the Search for Happiness,” “Shall We Dance”) that I felt this movie was not only a love story but a love letter to Planet Earth. He nodded his head yes, and said he hoped that people came away from the film more hopeful and appreciative of all that our planet offers. He feels this is a wonderful family film and whether you are 70 years old or 12, people of all ages can appreciate and will enjoy this coming of age and inspiring movie. When he told us that the movie was filmed in only 39 days and shot for under $30 million we all were shocked! That is such a short time to do a blockbuster film such as this one, but he said he looked to how Clint Eastman filmed “Million Dollar Baby” in 36 days and said he filmed longer shots – not only during scenes but of the space on Mars and Earth. I think this is what comes through in the movie – this appreciation of how absolutely amazing our planet really is! He said he looks as Gardner as almost a Christopher Columbus because when he finally has a chance to go to Earth, he is eager to experience all of the wonders he had only read about while growing up on Mars. So through his eyes, the audience experiences what it would be like to see Planet Earth for the first time – with almost child-like wonder.

When asked what she learned from this movie, Carla said that this notion of people choosing to be more isolated as their life goes on, with less and less contact with the outside world really hit home with her. She said that at times because of her work and being surrounded by people all day, she at times will just need to regroup and take some time off by herself. But she has become more conscious of the fact “that if we are more engaged with the world we tend to say younger in spirit.” I couldn’t agree more! This need for human connection is so important and I feel The Space Between Us makes us appreciate why we need to continue to be engaged with our world and others!