"Don't Look Up" centers on a pair of low-level astronomers who discover a planet killer-of-a-comet
that's heading straight for Earth.
When nobody believes them, the pair make it their mission to convince mankind that the
end is near.
The comedy-drama features many of the most decorated actors in Hollywood, with an Academy
Award-winning writer-director behind the lens.
Before the film arrives in select theaters on December 10 and hits Netflix on December
24, here's a look at what you should know about "Don't Look Up."
It's fitting that a film about a celestial event would feature so many stars.
Jennifer Lawrence appears in the role of Kate Dibiasky, the astronomy graduate student who
first discovers the comet.
Lawrence got her start on television series like "The Bill Engvall Show" before hitting
the big screen, and it wasn't long before critics took notice.
Her leading performance in the gritty 2010 drama "Winter's Bone" earned her an early
Academy Award nomination, and she soon became a household name for her blockbuster roles
in "The Hunger Games" and "X-Men" franchises.
She then won an Oscar for her performance in 2012's "Silver Linings Playbook."
Joining her at the top of the cast list is Leonardo DiCaprio as Kate's professor, Dr.
Randall Mindy.
DiCaprio also broke out in a big way with his powerful early performances in films like
"What's Eating Gilbert Grape," and "The Basketball Diaries," and soon soared onto the A-list
with James Cameron's "Titanic."
DiCaprio has since continued to put out exquisite screen work, earning an Oscar for his gripping
performance in "The Revenant," along with nominations for "The Aviator," "Blood Diamond,"
"The Wolf of Wall Street," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."
Lawrence and DiCaprio are joined by an electric line-up of Hollywood's best and brightest,
not the least of which is Meryl Streep.
Streep stars in the film as President Janie Orlean.
"So how certain is this?"
"There's 100 percent certainty of impact."
"Please, don't say 100 percent."
"Can we just call it a potentially significant event?"
Streep is a living legend in Hollywood, boasting the record for the most Academy Award nominations,
along with three wins for her work in "Kramer vs. Kramer," "Sophie's Choice," and "The Iron
Lady."
Throughout her career, Streep has proven to be a force of true versatility, owning the
screen in almost every genre.
"She's dead!"
"She is?
Oh, these are the moments that make life worth living."
Cate Blanchett is another multiple Oscar-winning actress who you'll find in "Don't Look Up."
She stars as Brie, the co-host of a morning show called "The Rip" alongside her co-host,
Tyler Perry's Jack.
Blanchett previously shared the screen with DiCaprio in "The Aviator," for which she won
her first Academy Award.
Blanchett also won an Oscar for her leading role in "Blue Jasmine" and received additional
nominations for her roles in "Elizabeth," "Notes on a Scandal," "I'm Not There," "Elizabeth:
The Golden Age," and "Carol."
"Well, the handsome astronomer can come back anytime, but the yelling lady...not so much."
As for her co-host in the film, Tyler Perry became a household name thanks to his iconic
original character Madea.
Though Perry is well known for his comedy chops, he's also proven to be a force in dramatic
films like "Gone Girl" and "Vice" -- which, like "Don't Look Up," was written and directed
by Adam McKay.
Meanwhile, Rob Morgan stars as Dr. Oglethorpe, who helps Kate and Randall engage in their
mission to raise public awareness.
Audiences may know Morgan from series like "Daredevil" and "Stranger Things," along with
films like "Mudbound" and "Just Mercy."
Jonah Hill also stars as the president's son and sarcastic chief of staff, Jason.
Hill previously worked alongside DiCaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street" and is also known
for films like "Superbad" and "Moneyball," along with his starring role in the limited
series "Maniac."
The film's all-star cast doesn't stop there either.
The movie also features Mark Rylance, Ron Perlman, Timothée Chalamet, and music superstars
Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi.
Bringing all of these major screen stars together is Adam McKay, who co-wrote the script for
"Don't Look Up" and also directs and produces the film.
McKay has been a major player in Hollywood for years, and became best known for his film
collaborations with Will Ferrell.
We're talking about comedy classics like "Step Brothers," "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,"
and "The Other Guys."
"Okay I'm coming in, I'm coming in."
"Dude. What?"
"That's a lot of cocaine."
But McKay is also known for powerful dramas based on true stories, including his Oscar-winning
film "The Big Short" and his riveting profile of Dick Cheney, "Vice."
For "Don't Look Up," McKay told The New York Times that he was partially inspired by a
scene from "Jaws," saying: "The idea of a disaster movie in which people
don't necessarily believe that the disaster is coming ... goes back to the trope of the
mayor from 'Jaws.'"
"Now why don't you take a long, close look at this sign.
Those proportions are correct."
"Love to prove that, wouldn't you?
Get your name into the National Geographic?"
McKay also describes the film as a "dark comedy" about the group of "very sincere astronomers"
who have to navigate the complicated systems of politics and social media, along with public
perception.
With so much talent involved, strap in for a wild ride when "Don't Look Up" arrives this
December.
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