Outer Space Movie Studio Coming, Says Space Entertainment Enterprise
British media company Space Entertainment Enterprise (S.E.E.) is building a movie studio. It will host a Tom Cruise movie to be set in outer space.
The movie studio, named Space Entertainment Enterprise-1 (SEE-1), could open by 2024. The movie studio will be attached to the International Space Station. Axiom Space, a commercial space station builder, is constructing the module that will host the studio.
In a press statement, S.E.E. founders Dmitry and Elena Lesnevsky expressed excitement about paving the way for the first operational movie studio in outer space. “SEE-1 is an incredible opportunity for humanity to move into a different realm and start an exciting new chapter in space. It will provide a unique and accessible home for boundless entertainment possibilities in a venue packed with innovative infrastructure, which will unleash a new world of creativity.”
Space Entertainment Enterprise Partnering with Axiom Space
Partnership with Axiom Space is critical to turning S.E.E.’s vision into reality. The privately-funded space infrastructure company has participated in every International Space Station mission since the program launched. Axiom has a well-established relationship with NASA. In fact, Axiom’s co-founder and CEO served as NASA’s International Space Station Program Manager for 10 years.
“With worldwide leader Axiom space building this cutting-edge, revolutionary facility, SEE-1 will provide not only the first, but also the supreme quality space structure enabling the expansion of the $2 trillion global entertainment industry into low-Earth orbit,” stated S.E.E. founders.
Ambitions in Outer Space Extend Beyond Movie Studios
S.E.E. plans for more than movie studios in outer space. The company hopes to eventually establish space-based sports, music, and entertainment venues.
“Adding a dedicated entertainment venue to Axiom Station’s commercial capabilities in the form of SEE-1 will expand the station’s utility as a platform for a global user base and highlight the range of opportunities the new space economy offers,” said Michael Suffredini, CEO of Axiom Space.
The company hopes that customers will use SEE-1 module to film or live stream digital content in outer space. The company also plans to use the module for film, television, music, and sports events. The module’s structure, which resembles a giant white sphere, will provide versatility to the project.
“SEE-1 will showcase and leverage the space environment in an unprecedented way,” said Dr. Michael Baine, Axiom’s Chief Engineer and Chief Designer. “The inflatable module design provides for around six meters diameter of unobstructed pressurized volume, which can be adopted to a range of activities — including an onboard state-of-the-art media production capability that will capture and convey the experience of weightlessness with breathtaking impact.”
Co-Founder Dmitry Lesnevsky Has Long History in Film and TV Industries
Elena and Dmitry Lesnevsky founded the outer space venture in 2021. Dmitry was an entrepreneur and producer in the film and TV industry for many decades. He co-founded REN-TV in 1991, one of Russia’s first privately-held independent TV production companies. In 2008, he bought Das Vierte, a German TV network, from NBC Universal, He sold it to The Walt Disney Company just five years later.
The Russian media executive has been researching ways to build multi-platform space entertainment venues since he moved to the United Kingdom in 2013.
S.E.E.’s leadership team and outside consultants include many former Viacom and HBO executives. The projected budget of the space movie studio project is unknown, at least to the public. However, some have estimated the budget may be well over $200 million.
Outer Space as a Next Generation Entertainment Venue
Axiom Space will help get Tom Cruise into space. Axiom has contracted with NASA and SpaceX to take private individuals to the International Space Station using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon.
No one has revealed the movie plot details, but director Doug Liman is involved. Liman directed The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, American Made, and other films. Rumors are that new space-set Tom Cruise movie will not be part of the Mission: Impossible series.
“From Jules Verne to Star Trek, science fiction entertainment has inspired millions of people around the world to dream about what the future might bring. Creating a next generation entertainment venue in space opens countless doors to create incredible new content and make these dreams a reality,” stated Richard Johnston, the Chief Operating Officer of S.E.E.
