Everything to Know About Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio’s New Film ‘Don’t Look Up’

Credit: NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

Everything to Know About Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio’s New Film ‘Don’t Look Up’

In his upcoming Netflix film Don't Look Up, screenwriter-director Adam McKay explores how the world would react to an approaching comet that is set to destroy Earth. McKay puts his own spin on the serious issue of climate change by presenting the scenario with a comedic twist. The talented cast for the film includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Meryl Streep, Mark Rylance, Rob Morgan, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande and more. DiCaprio, 47, and Lawrence, 31, play two astronomers who discover the approaching comet and must warn mankind of its severity. Streep, 72, plays the President of the United States, who does not take the two scientists seriously. In the movie, the comet is a metaphor for climate change, displaying the real-life division of believers and skeptics. Although there is nothing funny about the world being destroyed, McKay decided to address the real-life issue of climate change while making the audience laugh in the process. [jwplayer VhxYxn1N-zhNYySv2] “If we're laughing, we can deal with stuff. It's when we get, you know, overwhelmed with depression or despair, that's when things get hard. So, as soon as I realized we needed to laugh when it came to dealing with the climate crisis, I knew where to go," the former SNL writer said in a CBS News interview on December 5. In Don't Look Up, not only is there a parallel to climate change but to COVID-19 as well. “I swear on all the holy books on the planet Earth that I wrote this before COVID, and it was one of those strangest experiences I’ve ever had,” McKay said earlier this month at the Contenders Film: Los Angeles. “The strangest thing about this movie was writing it, casting it and then seeing a lot of the elements come true, and then wondering: do you even make the movie?” As the pandemic was beginning to spiral out of control, McKay decided to tweak the film to reflect the absurdity of what is going on in the world right now. “Regardless of how you voted, I think we all have to admit seeing the President of the United States float the idea of ingesting bleach to deal with a medical emergency is an unusual situation,” he said. “When that happened, I right away texted my producer, Kevin Messick, and texted Leo and Jen was like, OK, we’re gonna make this a little crazier.’” Read on to find out everything you need to know about Don’t Look Up.

Credit: NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

Everything to Know About Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio’s New Film ‘Don’t Look Up’

In his upcoming Netflix film Don't Look Up, screenwriter-director Adam McKay explores how the world would react to an approaching comet that is set to destroy Earth. McKay puts his own spin on the serious issue of climate change by presenting the scenario with a comedic twist. The talented cast for the film includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Meryl Streep, Mark Rylance, Rob Morgan, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande and more. DiCaprio, 47, and Lawrence, 31, play two astronomers who discover the approaching comet and must warn mankind of its severity. Streep, 72, plays the President of the United States, who does not take the two scientists seriously. In the movie, the comet is a metaphor for climate change, displaying the real-life division of believers and skeptics. Although there is nothing funny about the world being destroyed, McKay decided to address the real-life issue of climate change while making the audience laugh in the process. [jwplayer VhxYxn1N-zhNYySv2] “If we're laughing, we can deal with stuff. It's when we get, you know, overwhelmed with depression or despair, that's when things get hard. So, as soon as I realized we needed to laugh when it came to dealing with the climate crisis, I knew where to go," the former SNL writer said in a CBS News interview on December 5. In Don't Look Up, not only is there a parallel to climate change but to COVID-19 as well. “I swear on all the holy books on the planet Earth that I wrote this before COVID, and it was one of those strangest experiences I’ve ever had,” McKay said earlier this month at the Contenders Film: Los Angeles. “The strangest thing about this movie was writing it, casting it and then seeing a lot of the elements come true, and then wondering: do you even make the movie?” As the pandemic was beginning to spiral out of control, McKay decided to tweak the film to reflect the absurdity of what is going on in the world right now. “Regardless of how you voted, I think we all have to admit seeing the President of the United States float the idea of ingesting bleach to deal with a medical emergency is an unusual situation,” he said. “When that happened, I right away texted my producer, Kevin Messick, and texted Leo and Jen was like, OK, we’re gonna make this a little crazier.’” Read on to find out everything you need to know about Don’t Look Up.

Credit: NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

The Plot

In the trailer, the film is described as “Based on real events that haven’t happened … yet.” Don’t Look Up follows two astronomers: grad student Dr. Kate Dibiasky (Lawrence) and her past professor Dr. Randall Mindy (DiCaprio) who discovers a giant asteroid that will destroy Earth.

These two attempt to warn the world by teaming up with Nasa scientist Dr. Teddy Oglethorpe (Morgan) to inform the U.S. government. To their surprise, the U.S. President (Streep), Secretary of State (Hill) and other government officials don’t seem to care and brush the worldwide danger off. The president’s exact words are: “Let’s sit tight and assess.”

McKay attempts to tackle real-world and controversial issues in a way that makes the audience not only aware but laugh as well.

Credit: NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

The Premiere Date

Don’t Look Up had its premiere for limited release on December 10. It will debut on Netflix on Christmas Eve, December 24.

Credit: NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

The Cast

The real question is who isn’t in the cast? In addition to DiCaprio and Lawrence, Streep stands out as her role as the president is a composition of past presidents who have neglected to address concerning issues.

“I started thinking about all the presidents that we’ve had, and I was like, ‘Holy crap, it has been a murderer’s row of louts and rollovers and suck-ups,’” McKay said at the panel. “I took a little bit from each, so you have kind of the performative empty suit of Reagan.

You have the used car salesman of Bill Clinton … and you have the dangerously underqualified George W. Bush. And then you have … Barack Obama, awfully smooth and cozy with big money. And then, of course, [Donald] Trump’s run-amok narcissism.”

Jonah Hill plays Jason Orlean, who is not only the chief of staff but President Janine Orlean’s son. Jason adds plenty of comedy to the film, as he does not take his job or the comet seriously.

Rob Morgan plays Dr. Clayton “Teddy” Oglethorpe, who is a fellow scientist and the head of NASA. Throughout the movie, he helps Randall and Kate in warning the world about the comet and the imminent danger it presents.

Mark Rylance, best known for his roles in Dunkirk and Bridge of Spies, plays Peter Isherwell, the CEO of a tech company called BASH. He has a Steve Jobs look to him and has created a new phone that can show people’s emotions.

June Mindy, played by Melanie Lynskey, is Randall’s always encouraging wife. Lynskey has appeared in Up in the Air, Ever After, Heavenly Creatures and more.

The cast is stacked with some of the other supporting cast, characters and cameos, including Chalamet as Yule, Tyler Perry as Jack Bremmer, Hettienne Park as Dr. Calder, Grande as Riley Bina, Kid Cudi as DJ Chello and more.

Credit: NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

When and Where Was Don’t Look Up Filmed?

Don’t Look Up was filmed from November 2020 through February in various places in Massachusetts: Boston, Brockton, Canton, Worcester, Framingham, Fall River and Weymouth.

Credit: NIKO TAVERNISE/NETFLIX

More Casting Details

McKay told CBS that Lawrence was the first one cast and her character is written specifically for her. Kate emphasizes the seriousness of the issue while adding Lawrence’s signature humor throughout the movie.

When McKay was asked about DiCaprio, he said, “He was the moment. When he said yes, I was like, this is crazy.”

DiCaprio, for his part, said, "I had been waiting patiently for something like this. And it sort of landed in my lap. And then, of course, got to work with amazing people like this."