Big things are on the horizon for later this year. Monumental things. City-sized things. That's where Mortal Engines factors into the equation. The adaptation of Philip Reeve's book series has just released a new trailer, and the preview offers a far better explanation of the apocalyptic landscape occupied by moving cities, as well as the political intrigue that will drive the plot forward. Check out the full trailer, below, to finally get a better idea of what this movie will be about.
That trailer lays out the plot of Mortal Engines in far greater detail compared to previous teases. The film centers on a steampunk dystopian future in which humanity has adopted moving cities as means of travel in the wake of a devastating war. In a roving version of London, we find Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar), a deadly and scarred fugitive on a mission to assassinate Thaddeus Valentine (The Matrix's Hugo Weaving) for the murder of her mother years earlier. Along the way, she runs into Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan) and the two form a tenuous partnership to go after Valentine and change humanity's apocalyptic course.
In addition to the massive action, there's also a notable emphasis on interpersonal drama in this trailer. The beginning of the preview emphasizes that Hester harbors deep resentments towards Valentine for the murder of her mother, but it looks like the film will send her on a mission to reveal a conspiracy initially uncovered by her mother years earlier.
One of the most exciting elements teased by this trailer is the sheer size and scope of the world created by director Christian Rivers. There's a clear emphasis placed on the magnitude of the fallout of the "Sixty Minute War" that destroyed much of the planet, and the difference in size between the "Predator Cities" and the smaller municipalities is breathtaking in some of the sequences shown in this trailer. Though producer Peter Jackson isn't directing this particular adventure story, the influence of his knack for scale on projects like Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit is particularly apparent to see for fans of his work. With action, intrigued, and a pre-existing IP backing this project, there's reason to believe that Mortal Engines could make a serious impression on audiences later this year when it finally debuts.
In addition to this brand-new trailer, a new poster for Mortal Engines offering an up-close look at Hester's masked face has also debuted. You can check that out, below.
With Mortal Engines' December 14 release on the horizon for later this year, CinemaBlend will bring you more information related to the film as it becomes available. For more details on Mortal Engines and all of the other movies set to debut this year, you can head over to our 2018 movie premiere guide.
