Russian TV network aims to beat Tom Cruise to first film shot in space
The cinematic space race is on…
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
A Russian TV channel has launched a competition to cast a lead actor to star in what will potentially be the first-ever narrative feature film shot in space.
The news follows the announcement that Tom Cruise is set to star in his own space-set film, which is being developed in collaboration with Nasa and SpaceX.
Channel One, Russia’s biggest TV network, is apparently partnering with the Russian space agency Roscosmos to produce the project, with the idea of releasing it before Cruise’s film hits cinemas.
The film, provisionally titled Challenge, will feature a woman in the lead role, and the TV Channel has already provided a list of requirements for any candidates.
Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 40, 150cm and 180cm tall, and weighing between 50kg and 70kg.
Channel One also specified that the applicant need not be a professional actor, but should have a “chest girth” of up to 112cm.
She must also be able to meet a number of physical requirements, such as being able to run a kilometre in under three and a half minutes, and be able to swim and dive well.
The applicants need to also be Russian citizens, and must submit screen tests in which they read a passage from Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin.
Candidates would then be put through an extensive psychological, physical and medical screening process, with around a year’s worth of preparation for the 10-day shoot.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
A male actor will also be cast in a supporting role through a separate audition process.
General Director of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said that the film would be “a kind of space experiment".
Cruise’s untitled film is set to shoot in October 2021. The project will be directed by Doug Liman.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments