Netflix has released a trailer for Spaceman, the upcoming film based on Jaroslav Kalfař’s novel Spaceman of Bohemia.
Kalfař’s book, published in 2017 by Little, Brown, tells the story of Jakub Procházka, a Czech astronaut who embarks on a mission to Venus and encounters a large alien spider. A critic for Kirkus praised the novel as “an entertaining, provocative addition to the spate of literary near-future novels that have lately hit the shelves.”
The film adaptation stars Adam Sandler as Jakub, and Paul Dano as the voice of Hanuš, the spider. The cast also includes Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar, Lena Olin, and Isabella Rossellini. It is written by Colby Day (the forthcoming In the Blink of an Eye) and directed by Johan Renck (Chernobyl).
The trailer begins with Rossellini, who plays Jakub’s superior officer, Commissioner Tuma, saying, “On behalf of the Euro Space Program, 189 days into your solo journey, Commander Procházka, how are you feeling?”
“What I’m doing is for everyone back home,” Jakub responds, “and that makes me very proud.”
Later in the trailer, Jakub encounters Hanuš, who tells him, “I did not intend to frighten you, skinny human. Do not be afraid.…You wish to know if I am real. I am like you: an explorer. Your loneliness intrigued me.”
“Why are you here?” Jakub asks the spider.
“I might be of help,” Hanuš replies. “I wish to assist you in your emotional distress.”
Spaceman will stream on Netflix beginning March 1.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
