Fly Me to the Moon (2024 film)

Fly Me to the Moon is a 2024 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Greg Berlanti from a screenplay by Rose Gilroy, based on a story by Bill Kirstein and Keenan Flynn. The plot follows the relationship between a marketing specialist (Scarlett Johansson) and the NASA launch director (Channing Tatum) in charge of a fictionalized version of the Apollo 11 mission. Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, and Woody Harrelson also star.

First announced in March 2022, the film was originally set to star Johansson and Chris Evans, with Jason Bateman directing. Tatum and Berlanti replaced Evans and Bateman, respectively, that July, and filming began in Atlanta, Georgia in October.

Fly Me to the Moon premiered on AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on July 8, 2024, and was released theatrically in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing on July 12. The film received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $30 million worldwide.

Premise
During the 1960s Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, a relationship develops between the NASA director in charge of the Apollo 11 launch and the marketing specialist brought in to fix NASA's public image and stage a "back-up" fake Moon landing.

Production
In March 2022, Apple Studios announced they had acquired the rights to produce a movie set in the backdrop of the Space Race, then titled of Project Artemis, for more than $100 million. Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans were also announced as starring in the film, with Jason Bateman directing. In May, Bateman said the working title Project Artemis was likely to change. He left the project the following month, citing creative differences, and was later replaced by Greg Berlanti, his first directorial effort since 2018's Love, Simon.

Screenwriter Rose Gilroy referenced the book Marketing the Moon for her writing. She says the book "is about the original ads that were used, and how sci-fi was woven into the minds of the American people" using genre books and movies "That was instrumental. It was endlessly interesting to learn all the ways they sold" the Apollo 11 mission.

The search for a new director and Berlanti's availability changed the production schedule, forcing Evans to drop out as well. In July, Channing Tatum entered into negotiations to replace him. In September, Jim Rash joined the cast. Ray Romano, Anna Garcia, and Woody Harrelson would be added in the following months.

Principal photography began on October 27, 2022, in Atlanta, with a casting call issued seeking extras to play NASA employees and FBI agents. By December 21, 2023, with a release date of July 12, 2024 set, the film was no longer titled Project Artemis. In April 2024, the film's new title was revealed to be Fly Me to the Moon, and Daniel Pemberton was confirmed to compose the score for the film.

Release
The film was initially slated to be released direct-to-streaming on Apple TV+ but was redirected to theatrical following strong test screenings. Following their partnership on Napoleon, Apple entered into another agreement with Sony Pictures to distribute the film in cinemas in December 2023, after both Warner Bros. declined to bid for theatrical distribution rights with Paramount saying they already had full release schedules. Sony Pictures scheduled the film for a theatrical release in the United States and Canada on July 12, 2024.

The film premiered at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on July 8, 2024.

Box office
, Fly Me to the Moon has grossed $16.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $14.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $30.7 million.

In the United States and Canada, Fly Me to the Moon was released alongside Longlegs, and was projected to gross around $12 million from 3,356 theaters in its opening weekend. The film made $4.5 million on its first day, including $875,000 from Thursday night previews. The film grossed below expectations during its first weekend, earning $9.4 million at the domestic box office and $9 million internationally from 52 markets.

Critical response
Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale, while those polled by PostTrak gave it an 86% overall positive score.