Is Scarlett Johansson And Channing Tatum’s ‘Fly Me to The Moon’ Inspired by True Events?

Apple TV’s upcoming movie ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ has sparked curiosity about the conspiracy theories surrounding NASA’s first moon landing. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in lead roles, the film also features Jim Rash, Ashley Kings, Anna Garcia, Chad Crowe, and more in pivotal roles. 

This romantic comedy revolves around NASA’s historic Apollo 11 moon landing project, which ignited controversy when Kelly Jones (played by Johansson) was brought in to fix NASA’s public image. Instead of solving problems, she ends up creating more chaos for Cole Davis (played by Tatum), the launch director who is already overwhelmed with responsibilities.

Also Read: ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ Trailer: Watch Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in New Dramedy

The plot thickens when the White House deems the mission too crucial to fail and pressures Jones to fabricate a backup plan for a fake moon landing, leading to further complications. When Sony Pictures Entertainment released the trailer, viewers began questioning whether NASA actually hired a PR agent or faked the Apollo 11 moon landing, stirring up more speculation.

Although the storyline isn’t based on true events, it draws inspiration from various real occurrences during that era. There is no concrete evidence supporting the theory of a staged moon landing, and NASA has consistently denied such claims. 

However, the film incorporates elements from actual events, transforming them into a narrative designed for audience entertainment. One such element is NASA hiring a PR agent to boost public enthusiasm for the mission at a time when Americans, affected by poverty and the Civil Rights Movement, were not very supportive of the project.

The U.S. was also in a fierce space race with the Soviet Union, and leaders believed that beating them to the moon would be a significant victory. Consequently, the moon landing became a high-stakes mission, leading NASA to employ public agents to market the launch effectively and gain public support.

-Sushmita Sarkar