Lee Isaac Chung To Direct ‘The Traveler’ Movie For Skydance

Lee Isaac Chung Embarks on Sci-Fi Adventure with “Teh Traveler”

Hot off the blockbuster success of Twisters, Oscar-nominated director Lee Isaac Chung is diving into the realm of science fiction with his upcoming project, The Traveler. Based on the novel of the same name by Joseph Eckert,this captivating adventure promises to be a thrilling blend of intimate family drama and sprawling,universe-bending sci-fi.

While details are currently shrouded in mystery, sources whisper that The Traveler will weave a complex tapestry, beginning with an intimate portrayal of family dynamics that unexpectedly erupts into a grand sci-fi odyssey. At the heart of the story is Scott Treder, a 47-year-old biology technician whose life takes a dramatic turn when he finds himself catapulted through time against his will.

The allure of Eckert’s novel has been a simmering flame in Hollywood for years. an early script by Austin Everett caught the industry’s attention, landing coveted spots on prestigious lists like the Black List, Hit List, and Blood List. Rumors of MGM’s involvement in developing the project swirled back in 2019.Now, Justin Rhodes, known for his work on Terminator: Dark Fate, has penned the latest draft, adding his own unique vision to this captivating narrative.

Chung’s signature style,characterized by deeply personal storytelling,is expected to collide with the epic scope of the sci-fi genre,creating a captivating cinematic experience.His previous blockbuster success,Twisters,starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell,shattered box office expectations,claiming the highest opening weekend for a natural disaster film in north America with a staggering $80.5 million.

Chung’s critically acclaimed Minari further solidified his talent for crafting emotionally resonant stories that resonate deeply with audiences.The semi-autobiographical immigrant family drama earned numerous accolades, including the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at Sundance in 2020, Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice wins, and multiple Oscar, Autonomous Spirit, BAFTA, and SAG Award nominations.

Chung’s filmography is a diverse tapestry, encompassing works like Munyurangabo, which premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2007, and television contributions to popular shows such as The Mandalorian and Skeleton Crew.

Writer and executive producer Justin Rhodes, alongside his ongoing projects for Apple TV+ and Netflix, recently contributed his talents to Tim Miller’s animated anthology series Secret Level for Amazon.

Lee Isaac Chung on Directing Sci-fi Epic “The Traveler”

Oscar-nominated director Lee Isaac Chung is known for his deeply personal and emotionally resonant films. From the critically acclaimed family drama “Minari” to the poignant Rwandan refugee story “Munyurangabo,” Chung has consistently explored the complexities of human connection through his lens. Now, he’s venturing into the realm of science fiction with “The Traveler,” an epic adaptation of Joseph Eckert’s novel.

When asked what drew him to the project, Chung shared, “I was instantly captivated by the unique blend of intimate family drama and sprawling science fiction in ‘The Traveler.’ it’s a story that explores what it means to be human, set against an epic time-travel backdrop. I’m excited to bring my personal storytelling approach to this grand spectacle.”

The film, a Skydance production, promises a captivating blend of heart and spectacle. Chung meticulously examined several script iterations before settling on Justin Rhodes’ draft. “Justin’s script beautifully balances the emotional core of the story with the thrilling sci-fi elements.He’s done an exceptional job of honoring the heart of Eckert’s novel while crafting a cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences. I’m thrilled to be working with him,” Chung stated.

Similar to his previous works, “The Traveler” delves into the intricate world of family dynamics, even though on a grander scale. Chung explains, “It’s a natural evolution of my storytelling. Like ‘Minari’ and ‘Munyurangabo,’ it’s a deeply personal story at its core. But with its time-travel premise, it also offers a unique prospect to explore universal themes on a grander scale. I believe it will be a compelling blend of my signature style and blockbuster spectacle.”

Stepping into the sci-fi genre, Chung acknowledges the unique challenges time travel poses. “Time travel always comes with its own set of logical and narrative challenges. But I’m excited about the opportunity to push myself creatively and work with a fantastic team to make something truly special. I think the key is to keep the emotional core of the story grounded, even as the events around it become more extraordinary,” he concludes.

Lee Isaac Chung on Directing Sci-fi Epic “The Traveler”

Oscar-nominated director Lee Isaac Chung is known for his deeply personal and emotionally resonant films. From the critically acclaimed family drama “Minari” to the poignant Rwandan refugee story “Munyurangabo,” Chung has consistently explored the complexities of human connection through his lens. Now, he’s venturing into the realm of science fiction with “The Traveler,” an epic adaptation of Joseph Eckert’s novel.

When asked what drew him to the project, Chung shared, “I was instantly captivated by the unique blend of intimate family drama and sprawling science fiction in ‘The Traveler.’ It’s a story that explores what it means to be human, set against an epic time-travel backdrop. I’m excited to bring my personal storytelling approach to this grand spectacle.”

The film, a Skydance production, promises a captivating blend of heart and spectacle. Chung meticulously examined several script iterations before settling on Justin Rhodes’ draft. “Justin’s script beautifully balances the emotional core of the story with the thrilling sci-fi elements. He’s done an extraordinary job of honoring the heart of Eckert’s novel while crafting a cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences. I’m thrilled to be working with him,” Chung stated.

similar to his previous works, “The traveler” delves into the intricate world of family dynamics, although on a grander scale.chung explains,”It’s a natural evolution of my storytelling. Like ‘Minari’ and ‘munyurangabo,’ it’s a deeply personal story at its core. But with its time-travel premise, it also offers a unique prospect to explore universal themes on a grander scale. I believe it will be a compelling blend of my signature style and blockbuster spectacle.”

Stepping into the sci-fi genre, Chung acknowledges the unique challenges time travel poses.”Time travel always comes with its own set of logical and narrative challenges. But I’m excited about the opportunity to push myself creatively and work with a fantastic team to make something truly special. I think the key is to keep the emotional core of the story grounded, even as the events around it become more extraordinary,” he concludes.

A Journey Through Time and Emotion: What to Expect from “The Traveler”

Director Lee Isaac chung, known for his poignant and visually captivating storytelling, is about to take audiences on a thrilling ride through time with his new film, “The Traveler”. Chung, who grew up on a small farm in Arkansas and later found his passion for filmmaking at Yale University, promises a captivating narrative that blends intimate family drama with the vast expanse of science fiction.

“Fans can expect an emotionally resonant, thrilling ride through time,” Chung says. “The traveler will be a story about love, loss, and the lengths we’d go to protect the ones we care about.”

The film explores themes of resilience, familial bonds, and the complexities of human emotions against the backdrop of a captivating sci-fi concept. With Chung’s talent for weaving nuanced characters and thought-provoking stories,”The Traveler” is poised to be a cinematic experience that resonates deeply with audiences.

What can fans expect from “The traveler”?

Archyde Exclusive: An Interview with Lee Isaac Chung on His Upcoming Sci-Fi Epic, “The Traveler”

Hello, and welcome to Archyde! Today, we have a wonderful prospect to speak with the incredibly talented Oscar-nominated director, Lee isaac Chung.Known for his deeply personal and emotionally resonant films like “Minari” and “Munyurangabo,” Chung is now stepping into the realm of science fiction with his upcoming project, “The Traveler.” welcome, lee!

Lee Isaac Chung: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to chat about “The Traveler.”

Archyde: To start, could you tell us what initially drew you to joseph Eckert’s novel, “The Traveler”?

Lee Isaac Chung: Absolutely. I was instantly captivated by the unique blend of intimate family drama and sprawling science fiction in the story. Its a tale that explores what it means to be human, set against an epic time-travel backdrop. As someone who’s always been fascinated by the complexities of human connection, this narrative spoke to me on a deeply personal level. I’m thrilled about the prospect of bringing my storytelling approach to this grand spectacle.

Archyde: The project has gone through several script iterations. What made you settle on justin Rhodes’ draft?

Lee Isaac Chung: Justin’s script beautifully balances the emotional core of the story with the thrilling sci-fi elements. He’s done an exceptional job of honoring the heart of Eckert’s novel while crafting a cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences. I’m truly thrilled to be working with him on this project.

archyde: Your previous films have delved into family dynamics. How does “The Traveler” fit into that theme, despite its grander scale?

Lee Isaac Chung: “The Traveler” is very much a continuation of my exploration of family dynamics, just on a bigger scale. Like “Minari” and “Munyurangabo,” it’s a deeply personal story at its core. However, the time-travel premise offers a unique prospect to explore worldwide themes on a grander scale.I believe it will be a compelling blend of my signature style and blockbuster spectacle.

Archyde: time travel brings with it a unique set of challenges. How do you plan to overcome these and keep the emotional core of the story grounded?

Lee Isaac Chung: Time travel always comes with its own set of logical and narrative challenges, but I’m excited about the opportunity to push myself creatively. Working with a fantastic team, I believe we can make something truly special. For me, the key is to keep the emotional core of the story grounded, even as the events around it become more unusual.

Archyde: You’ve also had great success with “Twisters.” How do you approach a film like “The Traveler” differently from a disaster film like that?

Lee Isaac Chung: While “twisters” and “The Traveler” both have epic elements, the former is more focused on external conflict and spectacle, while the latter is more about internal conflict and emotional resonance. So, I approach them differently in terms of focus. For “Twisters,” it was about crafting tense action sequences and building suspense.For “The Traveler,” it’s more about delving deep into character motivations and relationships, even as the world around them becomes increasingly extraordinary.

Archyde: Exciting stuff! Lastly, what can fans expect from “The Traveler”?

Lee Isaac Chung: Fans can expect a captivating blend of heart and spectacle. this isn’t just a sci-fi film; it’s a deeply human story set against an epic backdrop. I hope it will resonate with people on a personal level while providing them with a thrilling cinematic experience.

Archyde: We can’t wait to see it. Thank you for your time, Lee, and we’ll look forward to seeing “The Traveler” on the big screen.

Lee Isaac Chung: Thank you for having me. I’m really looking forward to bringing this unique story to life.

Stay tuned to Archyde for more exclusive content and updates on “The Traveler” and other exciting projects!