SCIENCE FACT NOT SCIENCE FICTION
Stars do not live forever.
One dies in the universe every second.
Our closest star, the Sun, is a nuclear fusion reactor the size of a million Earths.
It burns 600 million tons of hydrogen per second.
Scientists estimate the Sun has enough fuel to burn for another five billion years.
What would happen to the Earth if it doesn't?
What would happen to mankind?
A tense, claustrophobic thriller, SUNSHINE is directed by Danny Boyle and produced by Andrew Macdonald from an original screenplay written by Alex Garland. The film stars Rose Byrne (TROY), Cliff Curtis (WHALE RIDER), Chris Evans (FANTASTIC FOUR), Troy Garity (AFTER THE SUNSET), Cillian Murphy (28 DAYS LATER, BATMAN RETURNS, RED EYE), Hiroyuki Sanada (THE LAST SAMURAI), Mark Strong (SYRIANA), Benedict Wong (DIRTY PRETTY THINGS), and Michelle Yeoh (MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON).
"The premise of SUNSHINE," explains producer Andrew Macdonald, "is that in 50 years from now the Sun is dying. It is no longer providing the energy and the light that mankind needs to survive on Earth. The entire global community pools its resources to send a mission into space to deliver a bomb to reignite the part of the Sun that is failing. Our story concerns the eight astronauts and scientists who lead this mission. On their journey towards the Sun the crew stumble upon the ship that was sent on the same mission seven years previously, the Icarus I, drifting in space. From this point on things start to go very wrong and it's about how the crew react under the enormous pressure of their endeavor to save mankind."
Screenwriter Alex Garland came up with the concept for SUNSHINE back in 2004 after reading an article in an American scientific periodical. "I always had a desire to write a certain kind of science fiction film," Garland says. "I wanted to explore the idea of man traveling into deep space and what he discovers there, as well as what he finds in his own subconscious. I had been looking for a storyline to hang this idea on when I read an article projecting the future of mankind from a physics-based atheistic perspective. It contained theories on when the Sun would die and what would actually happen when it eventually did. Man needs the Sun's energy to survive and when that energy runs out it will lead to man's extinction. What I found interesting about that was that it is easy to speculate about the potential end of mankind, but what if it was a certainty within our lifetime. What interested me was the idea that it could get to a point when the entire planet's survival rests on the shoulders of one man, and what that would do to his head. That became a trigger point for the story."
Eight months later Garland arranged to meet director Danny Boyle in a West End pub and gave him the first draft of his script to read. Boyle called Garland the next day enthusing that they should go ahead and make the film.
"What I love about Alex's work is he has these big ideas," explains Boyle. "The British film industry tends to make quite small films, but Alex's writing always contains these massive ideas and concepts, which is wonderful, though complex to finance and realize."
For producer Macdonald, Garland's script was a real page-turner. "I think Alex writes tremendously visually, and, unlike a lot of scripts you read, SUNSHINE has got a driving narrative that really pulls you along. Some scripts are quite academic and hard work but with Alex's scripts you can easily visualize the story as you read it."
The trio of Boyle, Macdonald and Garland had previously teamed up for Fox Searchlight's 2003 smash hit 28 Days Later. "We share a love of certain types of films, but we all have our own opinions of how they should play out, which I think makes the relationships stronger," says Macdonald. "One of the key things is that Alex is very much the writer and Danny is very much the director and they both have very strong voices. My job is to help them realize what is in their imaginations, while at the same time balancing that with the practical realities of making a successful film."
"I think we are all very ambitious people but for some reason when we get together we abandon our egos," Boyle notes. "I kick into the script and Alex kicks into the film and we are quite blunt and honest with each other and that helps the process enormously."
Boyle was drawn to both the Icarus II's literal voyage to the Sun as well as its crew's psychological journey as they head out across the cosmos. "Traveling to the Sun is great visually, but also very interesting psychologically," he explains. "We wanted to make the film as psychological a journey as possible. There is the question about what happens to your mind when you meet the creator of all things in the universe, which for some people is a spiritual, religious idea, but for other people it is a purely scientific idea. We are all made up of particles of exploded star, so what would it be like to get close to the Sun, the star from which all the life in our solar system comes from? I thought it would be a huge mental challenge to try and capture that."
In their desire to present, on screen, a believable space mission rather than a piece of science fantasy, the filmmakers looked first to NASA in their research, watching numerous space documentaries as well as classic science fiction films, and meeting with as many scientists and astronauts as possible. Macdonald had seen the young British physicist Dr. Brian Cox on a BBC TV program and contacted him with a view to discussing the project. Thereafter Cox, who works at CERN [the Centre for European Nuclear Research], the world's largest particle physics laboratory in Geneva, joined the production as scientific consultant, and his input was to prove invaluable. On hand to give the cast and crew a better understanding of the Solar system, he also worked intensively with Cillian Murphy, who plays Capa, the ship's Physicist.
"The science is extremely sound in the film," explains Cox. "You can tell Alex is a fan of science as well as a science fiction fan. There were a few edges we ironed out but basically it was the back story rather than the plot that my expertise was needed for." Adds Boyle, "You become obsessed with the accuracy of the science and you do try to obey the rules of physics and make it as real as possible, but in the end you have to abandon certain elements and just go for what is dramatically effective."
Their research also took the filmmakers to Scotland to visit a nuclear submarine. "I wanted to explore contemporary conditions that best capture the claustrophobia of living in a confined space for a prolonged length of time," explains Boyle.
In addition, Macdonald flew to Moscow to visit Star City, the training complex that instructs more cosmonauts and astronauts than anywhere else in the world. "It was an amazing place to visit," he recalls. "In fact, in the early stages, we even considered shooting the film right there. But in the end it just was not viable."

FINDING THE PERFECT CREW
In line with social and economic predictions regarding the continued growth of China as a global superpower, the filmmakers concluded that any future space mission would include a significant Asian contingent. "The film has an American/Asian crew because we felt that in 50 years time the Chinese and American space programs would be the most developed and that they would have the economic power to bankroll such an endeavor," says Boyle. "But ideally we were looking for actors from all around the world." Auditions were held in Los Angeles, New York and London, with Boyle eventually bringing together an impressive international cast, with actors hailing from America, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Britain.
Irish actor Cillian Murphy was cast as Capa, the Icarus II's Physicist and the only crewmember who really knows how to operate the incredibly sophisticated bomb the ship is carrying. "Unlike the other members of the crew Capa doesn't have a military background, isn't an engineer or a career astronaut," explains Murphy. "He's a scientist who is into a level of physics that is way beyond normal comprehension and that does something to his mind in a way. I don't think his people skills are as good as they could be which makes him more of an outsider and slightly removed from the rest of the crew."
For Murphy, Garland's screenplay was key. "The script was riveting from start to finish," he explains. "I thought it was intelligent and well-written. Alex's writing fills a script with loads of sub-layers about modern day issues and he has managed to make it within the guise of a very clever, very intelligent, genre piece." Murphy was also keen to reunite with Boyle and the team behind his breakthrough performance in 28 DAYS LATER. "Danny's just one of the best directors working today," he says. "When you work with Danny you become energized. He has this amazing level of energy and commitment that he brings to the film. It was great to come back to that after doing other films, and hopefully to bring a bit more maturity and experience to the project."
"We were looking for a lead actor on whom the audience could project their hopes and fears throughout the film, and Cillian has that rare quality," notes Boyle. "It's partly experience and partly confidence, but he's also got that special ingredient which a film like SUNSHINE is very difficult to do without. He has fuel in his tank from working with good directors and good people. For those who think he's a bit good-looking for a physicist, the uncanny thing is that he looks remarkably like our science consultant Brian Cox which was not intentional."
American actor Chris Evans, who made such a searing impression as the Human Torch in Fox's 2005 hit comic book adaptation Fantastic Four, was cast as Mace, the ship's Engineer. "Mace is from a military family and background and he's very cut and dry, morally uncomplicated," explains Evans. "He is the guy on board who understands exactly the way the ship works and has a very level head which enables him to operate fairly coherently under pressure-filled situations."
"Chris is tremendous," says Boyle. "When we met him we just knew he was the real thing. A serious, thoroughbred actor, prepared to do anything. I liked him immediately and cast him very quickly. He has got the confidence and is someone who's on the brink of something quite big."
"Danny is this amazing storyteller," Evans notes. "When you make a decision to do a film you have to consider who's going to be telling the story, and when it's someone of Danny's caliber you jump at the chance. It's nice having a director that you trust with every bit of your emotion, to know that his internal barometer of what is good and what is bad won't steer you wrong, so you are willing to take risks and chances. There's no better feeling for an actor to come to work and know that you get to explore and feel safe."
The filmmakers were looking for an Asian actor to play the most experienced astronaut of the crew, Icarus II's Captain Kaneda. Boyle had seen Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada in Yoji Yamada's highly acclaimed THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI and was bowled over by his presence. "He gives this extraordinary and majestic performance," Boyle recalls. "When I met him I felt he had that kind of natural authority that makes people respect him automatically, which was crucial for the character." For Sanada, playing Kaneda was a huge challenge, with SUNSHINE only his second English-language feature. "I love Danny's films, they have good tension and rhythm in the world he creates," says Sanada. "The script has great human drama. A group of people spending a lot of time together confined in a spaceship, it is not only serious entertainment but also has very profound meaning and a deep soul."
International star Michelle Yeoh plays Corazon, the Biologist in charge of the Icarus II's oxygen garden -- the ship's primary source of oxygen and fresh food. "I almost want to say that Corazon is the luckiest crew member as she has the oxygen garden," says Yeoh. "She just keeps on running her experiments and growing food. But, of course, none of us are prepared for the tragic events that occur. This movie has turned out to be much more psychological and spiritual in a way. The crew is on a very intense journey. When you look out into space, what are you looking for? If you stare into the abyss long enough, you might lose your soul."
"Reading the script I knew I wanted Michelle to be in the film," Boyle explains. "Before I'd seen CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, I'd seen her in TOMORROW NEVER DIES and I was completely captivated by her. She takes the Bond Girl and inhabits it with her own individuality and identity and I loved her in it."
"I always believe the director is the soul of a movie," notes Yeoh. "You may have a great script but if you don't have a director with vision, you have an ordinary film. Danny has that vision and is passionate and dynamic. He is wonderful to work with and always surprises you. He challenges you as you work together and he gives you a sense of doing something new, making you reach out for something that has not been done before."
Australian actress Rose Byrne plays Cassie, the Pilot of the Icarus II. "Cassie is probably the most emotional crewmember in the sense that she wears her heart on her sleeve," explains Byrne. "I think the reason she is on board is because of her even temperament. She doesn't have a breaking point, which gets her through the journey. The biggest adjustment for me was doing scenes that involve all those buttons, talking into microphones and looking at blank scenes and not addressing the person next to you. You don't get to react off anything real and the challenge is adjusting to technical and dramatic scenes when the stakes are very high. It's life and death all the time."
Byrne, too, was a huge fan of Boyle and Garland. "They are both fantastic artists who are so smart and subversive, interesting and dark. I was pretty excited to work with them both." Boyle had been transfixed by her performance in TROY. "Rose is an extraordinary actress," he notes. "As soon as the camera switches on she completely transforms and has an electric presence. She can instantaneously immerse herself in the part, which is a big bonus when working with an ensemble." Adds Macdonald, "We felt she had an intelligence and intensity that we thought was right to play the part of Cassie."
Troy Garity, who took the role of Harvey, the ship's Communication Officer, was a big discovery for Boyle. "I hadn't seen any of his films before," the director recalls. "But when I met him I knew he would be a wonderful addition to the film. He is so meticulous in the way he prepares himself for the work and very serious about his craft."
"Harvey is second in command to the Captain. He is the only one on board who misses his family incredibly but hides it from the rest of the crew," explains Garity. "The likelihood of survival is not great and each of us in the film deals with it in different ways. Some more honorable, some more spiritual, and some more accepting. I think my character imagines himself to be brave, but he proves just to be normal and human in the end. I read a lot of scripts and SUNSHINE just stood out. It's very philosophical but at the same time commercial and enjoyable for everyone. Alex is very good at combining an authentic film, a piece of art that at the same time has a lot of commercial potential."
To play Searle, the Icarus II's Medical Officer, Boyle was looking for somebody who would subvert expectations. "The role was originally written for a slightly stiff British character," he explains. "We cast New Zealander Cliff Curtis. He approached the part with such freshness and originality that I knew he was right for it."
Curtis was drawn to the role because of the chance to work with Boyle. "Danny is a very special guy, very down to earth and he's got no delusions about working in film. My character Searle is the doctor and psychiatrist on the ship who becomes obsessed with the Sun. He realizes something went wrong with the previous mission, and potentially could go wrong with theirs, and so he uses himself as a guinea pig. Searle theorizes on the possibility that to some the Sun may be the face of God. He starts to study the Sun and soon begins to become fixated by it, as if it is communicating something to him. Do we have the right as human beings to change the course of nature, to go against nature? The sun is dying, what right have we got to question the wisdom of nature?"
Benedict Wong plays Navigation Officer Trey. "I saw Benedict in Dirty Pretty Things and he is a terrific young actor," says Boyle. "I found the script really exciting and the story very plausible, so it was something I immediately wanted to be involved in," Wong explains. "Trey's back story is that he was a child prodigy. As a petulant teenager he created a computer virus that destabilized one sixth of the world's computers. This brings him to the attention of the authorities who recognize his genius and decide to put it to good use by grooming him for the space program. His job on Icarus II is to navigate the ship towards the Sun safely, but he makes this huge error which eventually costs him his life."
Finally, Mark Strong was cast as Pinbacker, the Captain of the Icarus I, the first mission to the Sun. Boyle had previously worked with Strong in the theatre. "For Pinbacker we were looking for a Michael Schumacher, an alpha male, who was at the pinnacle of his career when he was chosen to pilot the first mission, possessing brilliant technique and very commanding physically. Mark was perfect, like a six foot two inch Anthony Hopkins," explains Boyle.
By the time the crew of Icarus II come across Pinbacker, his entire body has been subject to seven years' exposure to the Sun's rays. To achieve the look of the hideously scarred Pinbacker, Strong had to endure a grueling five hours of makeup before he even stepped on set. Special effects makeup artist Mark Coulier and his team covered Strong from head-to-toe in a combination of body suit and prosthetics, all created from silicone and totaling about 37 separate pieces. They were intrinsically painted with UV pigments so that the makeup glowed from the inside when lit with UV lights.
"Mark had to shave his head every morning before we applied the headpieces, followed by the body, trousers, hands and then lastly the feet," Coulier explains. "Considering the extent of the makeup and the discomfort that Mark had to put up with, he was an absolute gentleman throughout. He always went out of his way to help, never complained and was an absolute pleasure to work with."
"I wanted Pinbacker to be a spectral presence," Boyle notes. "Unstable… like the particles that make him up had been reorganized by the massive forces of light he exposes himself to. So to see him and listen to him was almost to challenge your own sanity, like your mind was unreliable, confronting this changed life."

MORE NASA THAN STAR WARS
Part of Boyle's process involves having his actors submit to an intensive rehearsal period. With SUNSHINE, his cast underwent three weeks of rehearsals, which included time for them to research their characters' specific fields of expertise and roles on the ship. Murphy accompanied physicist Brian Cox to his work place at CERN in Geneva ("a very nice man who put up with all my idiotic questions," laughs Murphy); Michelle Yeoh spent time at the Eden Project in Cornwall; while Evans met with NASA astronaut Daniel W. Bursch in the US before joining the production in England. "I went to Monterey in California and sat down with Daniel Bursch, one of the guys who holds the American record for the longest time in space, something like eight months, which is amazing, and he just had so much information," says Evans. "It was great to kind of do your homework on a film that you are passionate about. You don't always get that."
Boyle also screened for his cast various films relevant to their research. As a group they watched THE RIGHT STUFF, FOR ALL MANKIND, DAS BOOT, and WAGES OF FEAR as well as science fiction classics such as ALIEN and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. Rehearsals also included scuba diving, lectures by specialists in Astronomy and Physics, stunt training, flight simulation and a trip in a light aircraft to experience zero gravity. Murphy describes the experience as being "quite interesting, sickening, horrifying, and exhilarating all in the same time". Adds Yeoh, "That moment of zero gravity is quite phenomenal, it takes your breath away. But when you experience several Gs… it's not nice. Your head hurts, your chest hurts, and it feels like the whole world is sitting on you. It sounds horrifying but it is still exhilarating, and after a few moments of sheer terror you get used to it."
Lastly Boyle insisted his cast all live together for two weeks to build up a certain kind of familiarity with each other before shooting. "In the film, we join the crew when they have been living together on the space ship for 16 months, so one of the key things for us was to get the cast to bond as quickly as possible and to break down any barriers," he says.
"There's a certain kind of chemistry that you can't sort of act," explains Murphy, "It's just in the room, or it exists between people, a familiarity or an irritability or whatever it may be. I think Danny wanted to try and create that by having us stay together and it was a very enjoyable thing to do."
All eight Icarus II crewmembers moved into student accommodation in the East End of London. "We got sent off to some student dorms where we had these very kind of sparse, not very fancy rooms," recalls Curtis. "I thought we were going to go and live in a big house together and cook meals and have a great time. But no, we got put in student accommodation where we had a cell-like room with a single bed, our own shower and toilet, and a very basic kind of kitchen."
"We did so much research it was great," Evans states. "It was like doing theatre again. We really tried to get our hands dirty to understand what this movie is about and what these characters are going through. It was a wonderful, invaluable experience."

THE SUN: THE FACTS
SOLAR INFO
FASHIONING THE FUTURE
READ A QUESTIONS AND ANSWER WITH DIRECTOR DANNY BOYLE

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