Project Artemis - What We Know So Far

While it may not boast the highest number of subscribers (via Barron's) compared to the likes of Netflix, what Apple TV+ might lack in quantity, it has made up in quality. Launched only in 2019, the streamer already possesses a collection of acclaimed original films such as "The Greyhound," "Wolfwalkers," and "The Tragedy of Macbeth." It has gone on to make some notable milestones for streaming services.

Their 2021 film "CODA" became one of the year's most acclaimed movies and earned the Academy Award for best picture. This made Apple TV+ the first streamer to win the prestigious award (via The Verge), even after others, such as Netflix, had seen titles get nominated in the years prior. So whenever a new film is set to hit Apple TV+, you can be sure we're all ears.

Such is the case for their upcoming film, "Project Artemis." While certain details on the film remain rather vague, its intriguing premise, the cast of A-list talent, and the already-acclaimed platform it is set to land on provide more than enough for us to get excited. So just what is there to get excited about? Let's dive into everything we know so far about "Project Artemis" and find out.

As of now, no release date has been given to "Project Artemis." The film itself was announced in March 2022 when Apple TV+ picked it up for distribution (via Deadline). The project was announced to appear on the streamer alongside a series of massive deals, including a $200 million deal for both an untitled Brad Pitt racing film and the Matthew Vaughn spy thriller "Argylle." Scarlett Johansson, who is also working with Apple on the Sebastián Lelio-directed film "Bride," was also announced to be starring in the film and producing it alongside the production company These Pictures run by Jonathan Lia and Keenan Flynn.

Filming commenced for "Project Artemis" in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 20, 2022, according to Production List, with Scarlett Johansson being spotted by ET Online in 1960s attire while shooting in Savannah, Georgia in early December of the same year. Chances are, at this point, the film has wrapped or is close to it and will be entering the post-production phase soon, where we can expect news on its release in the upcoming months.

The plot for "Project Artemis" has been kept pretty tightly under wraps, with the only information being released regarding its plot being that the film takes place during the 1960s space race (via Deadline). But trying to pinpoint just what that entails isn't so clear.

The real-life NASA Artemis program, established in 2017, seeks to re-establish a long-term human presence on the moon, with the last time people set foot on the moon being the 1972 Apollo 17 mission. The program's first phase, which saw the launch of the Artemis I spacecraft, occurred on November 2022 (via NASA).

Knowing this, it's interesting to wonder what "Project Artemis" will focus on. Given the film's period piece set during the 1960s, with on-set photos showing the actors in appropriate attire, and the space-related Artemis project having happened decades later, it's an odd choice, to say the least. The only notable '60s era event entitled Artemis was the opposite of a space venture, rather being a US Navy experiment to test a new sonar system for underwater surveillance.

It's also possible that the "Project Artemis" title won't remain, as the film's previous director Jason Bateman told Variety, "The working title is 'Project Artemis,' but that will probably change." Whether there's more meaning to the name or not, we are certainly curious to see what comes out of this venture. In the same interview, Bateman mentioned that the movie was "about the moon landing."

While some of the film's details are obscure at the moment, one of its more publicized elements is the film's star-studded cast. Although their roles are currently unknown, we couldn't be more excited to see some of these names together. Headlining the picture is none other than "Black Widow" star Scarlett Johansson, who is both starring in and co-producing the film. Originally, the film was intended to be a reunion between Johansson and her "Avengers" co-star Chris Evans, who was announced on the project alongside Johansson (via Deadline). However, following changes in the production's schedule after the film's initial director dropped out, Evans too was gone, and in his place came Channing Tatum, coming straight off his 2022 hits "The Lost City" and "Dog" (via The Hollywood Reporter).

September 2022 saw "Community" and "Bros" star Jim Rash get added to the cast, with some believing he will be portraying a fashionable commercial director (via Deadline). Following this, Ray Romano, Anna Garcia, and Woody Harrelson were all announced as part of the cast by January 2023 (via Deadline). Rounding out the cast is Colin Woodell, Donald Elise Watkins, and Noah Robbins, amongst others.

Taking helm of this ambitious project is director Greg Berlanti. When "Project Artemis" was initially announced, "Ozark" star Jason Bateman was slated to helm the picture (via Deadline), but left the project due to creative differences. After some searching, the film found its new director in Berlanti, who closed a deal to direct in July 2022 (via The Hollywood Reporter). 

Berlanti is best known for his television work, having helped develop and produce shows such as "Riverdale," "Political Animals," "Dawson's Creek," "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" and later with several superhero shows such as "Titans" and "Doom Patrol." 

"Project Artemis" will see a change up in Berlanti's cinematic efforts, with the director's previous movies being all romantic comedies including "The Broken Hearts Club," "Life As We Know It" and, perhaps his best known work, "Love, Simon." On top of that, he has acted as a writer and producer on blockbuster movies such as "Green Lantern," "Wrath of the Titans" and "Free Guy."