Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) remains one of the most visually ambitious science fiction films ever made, known for its eye-popping world-building and over 2,500 VFX shots . Directed by Luc Besson—the mind behind The Fifth Element —the film is a polarizing cult favorite often described as a "visual masterpiece" that suffers from "convoluted storytelling".
Despite Luc Besson having already written the scripts for a second and third film, a sequel is . Valerian and of a Thousand Planets
: Rihanna’s performance as the shapeshifting alien Bubble is a standout, though some felt her subplot was a "tangential detour". Status of a Sequel (As of 2026) Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
: The most common criticism is the lack of chemistry between the leads, Dane DeHaan (Valerian) and Cara Delevingne (Laureline) . Many viewers felt they felt more like "bickering siblings" than romantic interests. : Rihanna’s performance as the shapeshifting alien Bubble
: Critics and fans alike praise the opening sequence (set to David Bowie’s "Space Oddity") and the "Big Market" sequence, which involves a multi-dimensional bazaar .