New Photos: Richard Kelly’s The Box

Richard Kelly's The Box

Earlier this month you got a look at the first photo from Richard Kelly’s The Box. We followed that up last week with a behind the scenes video segment courtesy of NASA television. And now USA Today gives us our first look at the cast. The new production photo features stars James Marsden and Cameron Diaz as Arthur and Norma Lewis, sitting around the mysterious box.

Update: We have added a bunch of new photos below.

The Box

The Box

 

The Box

 

The Box

Kelly calls The Box his “first grown-up film” and the article also reveals that the film’s “embellishments include ’70s kitsch, teleporting and the 1976 Viking mission to Mars.” So yes, there is much more to this story than a mysterious box.

The Box

The wind tunnel at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA serves as a command module for Frank Langella’s sinister Arlington Steward. “The toy soldiers give an indication of what Stewerd might be up to,” says Kelly.

The Box

Based on the short story by Richard Matheson, “The Box” stars Cameron Diaz as Norma Lewis and James Marsden as Arthur Lewis, a suburban couple with a young child who receive a simple wooden box as a gift, which bears fatal and irrevocable consequences. A mysterious stranger, played by Frank Langella, delivers the message that the box promises to bestow upon its owner $1 million with the press of a button. But, pressing this button will simultaneously cause the death of another human being somewhere in the world…someone they don’t know. With just 24 hours to have the box in their possession, Norma and Arthur find themselves in the crosshairs of a startling moral dilemma and must face the true nature of their humanity.

Discuss: Richard Kelly’s feature debut Donnie Darko was amazing. His follow-up, Southland Tales bombed both critically and financially. Is Richard Kelly a one hit wonder OR could The Box be the return of the great sci-fi morality tale?

  • kh
    Donnie Darko had a great atmosphere and "vibe" but it's massively overrated. Kelly's approach to storytelling is just way too convoluted. Hopefully he can reign it in with this one because it looks like a great project.
  • Jedk
    I read this short story a while ago.
    Basically he doesn't want to press the button, and she does. That is the conflict. In the short story they get $50 for pressing the button. Times have changed.
    It's really more of a Twilight Zone kind of thing that is being stretched out into a movie. I has a dumb ending, but I'm not going to spoil it here. Can't see how this is going to be good.
    When I read the story, I was like "that's it!" at the end.
  • RichardDawkinsRules
    speaking of twilight zone wasnt this a story featured on the program or perhaps the outer limits cause I do very much remember seeing it as a kid and it was one of the better stories. Its been ages since I have seen it and dont really remember the ending... they wind up pushing the button and I think some kid dies and it effects the family but I forget how. Richard Kellys take on this should be quite interesting and can't wait to see it. My problem lies with the cast... James Marsden and Cameron Diaz I think will bring an unwanted vibe to the film.. parring them together almost makes this look like a romatic comedy.. I dunno I havent seen the film yet so maybe they will be good but does anyone agree with me?
  • Sauce
    Casting is an issue. I can't see chemistry there at all. And that picture? makes this thing look like such camp and yes, a 90 minute twilight zone. I'd love to be proven wrong but...This isn't drumming up any kind of interest.
  • Ratter
    Don't care what the critics say. As far as I'm concerned Richard Kelly has done two great films and this one promises to be no different.
  • Russell
    I can't help but biasedly hate everything that Cameron Diaz is in.
  • southland tales wasn't a bomb critically! it got pretty ok reviews. it didn't make money, yeah, but it's hard to make money with a story like that.
  • xetra: Southland Tales currently has a 34% tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is far from even “good”. And to say the film lost money is an understatement of epic proportions. The film was made for an estimated $18+ million and only grossed $276,000 at the box office. For the record, I actually enjoyed the movie on a few levels, so I'm not here to bash it, just relaying the facts.
  • cat
    i am a huge fan of Donnie Darko and was greatly disappointed with Southland Tales, I expected to like it and was bored by it all. But I'm not ready to give up on Richard Kelly just yet, there's potential, but knowing the premiise, story just not 100% confident it's one for the big screen. I did like the twilight zone ep, it was one of the newer eps done in the 90's I think.
  • sari
    Just like other people, I think Cameron Diaz will sink this otherwise promising project.
  • kh
    Just an interesting (or maybe not so interesting) note - all three of Kelly's films are period pieces. (80's, 70's and the not to distant future). What's this guy's beef with the present day? ;)
  • TheGuyInThePJ's
    They're all set in election years as well.... Darko(1988) - Southland(2008) - Box(1976)
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