Summary
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Netflix has acquired the rights to the original sci-fi spec script Somewhere Out There following a competitive bidding war, tapping Shawn Levy to direct
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Written by Max Taxe, the “emotional sci-fi” film centers on a widowed father who sends a message into space and unexpectedly receives a response
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Levy will also produce the film under his 21 Laps banner as he continues his massive hot streak, following the wrap of Star Wars: Starfighter and the billion-dollar success of Deadpool & Wolverine
Shawn Levy is heading back to the cosmos. Fresh off wrapping production on his highly anticipated Star Wars film, the blockbuster filmmaker has officially signed on to direct Somewhere Out There, a new original sci-fi drama for Netflix. According to Variety, the streamer acquired the spec script from writer Max Taxe following a highly competitive bidding war, solidifying its ongoing creative partnership with one of Hollywood’s most bankable directors.
Described as an emotional, grounded entry into the sci-fi genre, Somewhere Out There is reportedly tonal kin to films like Arrival and Levy’s own Netflix hit, The Adam Project. The story follows a grieving father who, in the wake of losing his wife, desperately sends a message out into the stars. The narrative takes a massive turn when something out in the universe actually talks back, setting the stage for an intimate yet expansive interstellar mystery.
The project marks a reunion for Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment and screenwriter Max Taxe (known for the 2022 sci-fi rom-com Moonshot), who previously collaborated on the screenplay Ripple. Levy will produce the feature alongside Dan Levine under the 21 Laps banner. For Netflix, the acquisition is a calculated swing to keep delivering the high-concept, character-driven science fiction that has become synonymous with the streamer’s biggest original successes, from Stranger Things to All the Light We Cannot See.
Levy is currently operating at the absolute peak of his industry powers. He is coming off the record-breaking triumph of Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which grossed a staggering $1.086 billion globally and cemented its place as the highest-grossing R-rated movie in history. He also recently wrapped production on Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone feature starring Ryan Gosling that is slated for a May 2027 theatrical release. Despite his expanding footprint in massive theatrical IP, Somewhere Out There proves Levy remains deeply committed to original storytelling in the streaming space.
By blending intimate human grief with the awe-inspiring mysteries of the universe, Somewhere Out There is perfectly positioned to be another major streaming event. As Levy continues to masterfully balance massive franchise obligations with original genre concepts, audiences can undoubtedly expect a thrilling, emotionally resonant ride when this sci-fi drama finally touches down on Netflix.
