by: S. Scott Stanikmas

Eccentric auteur Luc Besson has chosen his next project. After the success of  Lucy he surely had his pick of films for a follow-up. What did he choose? The director took to Twitter (for the first time EVER!) to announce that he will be doing an adaptation of the French comic series Valerian and Laureline. And it seems like he has a specific storyline in mind.

My first tweet ever! Let’s share a real news! My next film is a big sci-fi: #Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

— Luc Besson (@lucbesson) May 12, 2015

Starring @danedehaan & @Caradelevingne. Shooting in December. In theaters 2017. 🐬 pic.twitter.com/R3STb1aPsf

— Luc Besson (@lucbesson) May 12, 2015

First logo #Valerian pic.twitter.com/d68FIJhOuX

— Luc Besson (@lucbesson) May 12, 2015

The synopsis of the storyline Besson chose sounds like an epic space opera:

Valerian and Laureline are exploring Syrte, capital planet of a system of 1,000 worlds. Their mission is to discover whether the Syrtians could present a danger to Earth. What they find is a decaying empire led by decadent aristocrats, a population ripe for revolution, and a mysterious caste of masked wise men who discreetly pull the strings from hidden fortresses. Swept up by the winds of history, the agents of Earth will have to choose a side.

The film has its roots in a long running comic series that feature a pair on intergalactic adventurers as they travel through space and time. The characters debuted in 1967 and were created by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres. The comics have been translated into over 21 languages and have sold over ten million copies worldwide.

Besson has made some amazing films over his career, with Leon being among my all-time favorite films. I really hope we see that greatness that I know Besson still has in him.