Metroid Prime (film)

Metroid Prime is a 2011 American science fiction action film directed by J.J. Abrams, produced by Charlie Kaufman and, Tim Bevan and Neal H. Mortiz and written by Alex Kurtzman and Cameron Crowne. It is the fourth installment of the Metroid franchise and the first in the Metroid Prime trilogy. The film stars Charlize Theron, Josh Brolin, Idris Elba, Tim Roth, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Christoph Waltz. The film follows Samus Aran as she battles the Space Pirates and their biological experiments on the planet Tallon IV.

Development of Metroid Prime began immediately after the successful release of Metroid III for a 2011 release. During pre-production, Abrams originally wanted two villains, Harry Osborn and Sandman. At the request of producer Avi Arad, he added Dark Samus to the list and the producers also requested the addition of Sylux. Principal photography for the film began in January 2006, and took place in Los Angeles and Cleveland before moving to New York City from May until July 2006. Additional pick-up shots were made after August and the film wrapped in October 2006. During post-production, Sony Pictures Imageworks created over 900 visual effects shots. With an estimated production budget of $258–350 million, it was the most expensive film ever made at the time of its release.