With 'Interstellar,' Possibly Trending Toward Oscar-Winning, A-List Actors Spacing Out

Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and David Oyelowo are searching for a new home for humankind in “Interstellar.” Photos from “Interstellar” Facebook page.

A pattern may be emerging.

Matt Damon in “Elysium.” Jodie Foster in “Elysium.” Sandra Bullock in “Gravity.” George Clooney in “Gravity.” (http://www.bit.ly/1GGhneD; http://www.bit.ly/1w7NAmB)

That is, a run on A-list actors doing outerspace films. Outside of an established franchise. Is a trend in the making?

Anecdotally, perhaps. Now going where few have gone before is “Interstellar.” In this space odyssey, a team of explorers scouts other galaxies in search of a new home for mankind before earth expires. (See video below).

“Interstellar,” opened in limited release on Wednesday in Belgium, France, North America and Switzerland. Today, the film opens wider in North America, the UK and other places and will continue to roll out across the world over the coming weeks.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, “Insterstellar” stars the Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey (http://www.bit.ly/1twlakb) as well as Oscar winner Anne Hathaway. And Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn. And Oscar winner Michael Caine. And Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain. And the aforesaid MD, an Oscar winner. And Oscar nominee John Lithgow. And David Oyelowo. And others.

A trend is sure to be spawned if “Interstellar” is a commercial success. Over the last two days in the United States, the nearly three-hour film has earned an impressive $2.1 million on 249 screens.

This portends big numbers when box office results are released in a few days, showing the numbers from more than 3,500 screens. Filming on “Interstellar” began late last year, a period during which the 91-minute “Gravity” was being discussed with gravitas.

Alfonso Cuarón's project excelled during the awards season, garnering Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes and so forth. At the world box office, it earned nearly three-quarters of a billion USD.

A year from now, another A-list actor may be heading out into the great unknown in a vehicle (or rather, spacecraft) that suits will be hoping will bring both coin and critical acclaim.

A good number of naysayers have compared “Interstellar” unfavorably to “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Mainly, however, it is being critically well-received, often described in glowing terms: “audacious”; “ambitious and visually inspired.”

Matthew McConaughey and his team are facing an urgent deadline in "Interstellar."

“'Interstellar' is a marvel of congruency from the opening shot to the final frame,” declares one admirer.

“Interstellar” is rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language; visit http://www.interstellarmovie.net/ to learn more about the film.