Jenna Ortega's upcoming sci-fi adaptation seems to be a combination of some of the aspects of both Blade Runner and Wall-E. Calling a sci-fi flick a cross between Wall-E and Blade Runner might seem strange, given how both movies are the complete opposite in terms of tone and themes. Interestingly, though, the sci-fi adaptation in question somehow balances Wall-E's wonder with Blade Runner's serious themes.
When it comes to the big screen, Jenna Ortega has seemingly been far more experimental with her roles in recent years. However, most of her movies from recent years have struggled to make their mark. While Wednesday remains her most recognizable role right now, her upcoming movie, Klara and the Sun, seems to have immense potential.
Directed and co-written by Taika Waititi, Klara and the Sun features Jenna Ortega as a robot girl. While the movie shares the same sense of whimsy and wonder as many of Waititi’s previous films, it also has shades of serious themes. A closer look at its story and trailer also suggests that it will likely appeal to fans distinct sci-fi movies like Wall-E and Blade Runner.
Based on Kazuo Ishiguro novel of the same name, Klara and the Sun seems to borrow Blade Runner's existential themes surrounding what it truly means to be human. At the same time, though, instead of backing these themes with gritty cyberpunk visuals and careful cynicism, the movie seems to share the same sense of wonder and innocence as Wall-E.
Like Wall-E, Jenna Ortega's Klara is a robot designed purely for utility. She finds herself in humanity's messy, fragile reality and initially struggles to adapt to it. However, as the movie's trailer reveals, genuine empathy, loyalty, and capacity for love than the actual humans around her. A similar theme is explored in both Blade Runner and Wall-E, where artificial beings ultimately prove to be more compassionate.
Klara and the Sun's story seems to be driven by many original ideas and concepts. Interestingly, though, it seems to be a part of a growing trend where many sci-fi movies set out to humanize their "artificial" characters. Apart from Blade Runner and Wall-E, 2021's After Yang and 2023's The Creator dabbled with similar themes. Even Apple TV's canceled show, Sunny, seemed quite similar.
These fascinating parallels between Klara and the Sun and several other existing sci-fi movies and shows make it even more exciting. It makes one wonder how Taika Waititi will riff on these familiar tropes from the genre and bring something new to the table with his distinct directorial vision.
From its trailer, Klara and the Sun not only seems far more positive than most recent sci-fi flicks but even brighter than Waititi's other planned sci-fi adaptation.
For a long time, Taika Waititi has been linked with a live-action adaptation of the iconic anime movie, Akira. However, despite the hype around the project, the movie adaptation is now seemingly dead as its rights have finally expired. While the cogwheels of its production were initially moving forward, delays in the script, Waititi's busy schedule, and other behind-the-scenes issues prevented it from seeing the light of day.
Considering the abstract nature of the original anime's storytelling, a live-action Akira movie was also not going to be easy to execute. After the failures of other live-action anime adaptations like Ghost in the Shell, it makes sense that the Akira movie has not been forcefully pushed out.
Klara and the Sun premieres on October 23, 2026.
Other studios and filmmakers might eventually pick Akira for another adaptation. However, for now, it is not happening any time soon. Waititi's take on the anime sounds intriguing on paper. Considering his line of work, though, he seems like a better fit for a brighter sci-fi movie like Klara and the Sun.
The director's inclination towards delivering more whimsical and feel-good stories aligns far more closely with Klara and the Sun than Akira. With Jenna Ortega as its lead, the upcoming sci-fi flick already seems incredibly promising. Hopefully, it will be as good as Blade Runner and Wall-E, if not better.
Klara and the Sun tells the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend who is purchased by a mother for her ill daughter.
