When it comes to movies about astronauts, we generally expect tales of adventure and bravery, images of rockets and spacesuits. And in the case of the upcoming movie Lucy In the Sky starring Natalie Portman and Jon Hamm -- diapers.
Toronto International Film Festival goers are learning, though, that there's a nary a diaper to be found in the story, which is loosely based on that of astronaut Lisa Nowak.
If that sounds like an odd expectation, here's the backstory: In 2007, Nowak drove 900 miles from Houston to Orlando, Florida, to confront a woman she thought was (as The New York Times put it) "a rival for the affections of a fellow astronaut." One notable detail that surfaced from the incident? Police said the determined Nowak wore a diaper so she wouldn't have to stop to take breaks. Nowak eventually pleaded guilty to felony burglary of a car and misdemeanor battery, accepting a plea deal.
In a new Los Angeles Times interview, the film's director, Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion) reveals why there's no diaper. "Given that it's not a documentary, part of the work I did was trying to create a character journey that you could really relate to and stay with, even when she went to places you didn't want her to go," he said. "That detail just didn't fit into the story."
On social media, however, folks are a bit bothered by the omission. "But there is only a movie because of the diapers," one wrote. Said another, "So why did they make this movie then?" But at least one person was OK with the decision, saying, "Since it's only loosely based on the real life events, it's fine. Besides, I have a 1-year-old -- I get enough diapers as it is."
The diapers, says #LucyInTheSky director Noah Hawley, “just didn’t fit into the story.” I repeat: There are no diapers in the astronaut movie. Adjust your expectations accordingly! #TIFF19 via @AmyKinLA @latimes https://t.co/1HFJJyAXXY
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) September 11, 2019
So why did they make this movie then?
— Michelle Moore (@curlichel) September 12, 2019
But there is only a movie because of the diapers. pic.twitter.com/YEZSYOPv15
— John (@JohnP526) September 11, 2019
Noah Hawley's LUCY IN THE SKY takes a stranger-than-fiction story and somehow actually makes it *less* strange in dramatization. If you don't want to make an astronaut-in-a-diaper movie don't make the astronaut-in-a-diaper movie! #TIFF19
— A.A. Dowd (@AADowd) September 12, 2019
Everybody upset about #LucyInTheSky needs to realize that Sony has the rights to the diapers, which is why they cannot appear in the film.
— Tim Rothfuss (@timtarot) September 12, 2019
Since it's only loosely based on the real life events, it's fine. Besides, I have a one-year-old - I get enough diapers as it is. #LucyInTheSky https://t.co/pmKsCTmysq
— J.D. Sanderson - A Sci-Fi Writer (@ascifiwriter) September 12, 2019
Lucy in the Sky opens in the US Oct. 4 and in the UK Dec. 6. No date for Australia has been announced yet.
