Netflix’s first trailer for Jennifer Lopez’s Atlas movie looks like a curious mix of Terminator and Neon Genesis Evangelion

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Netflix has shared the first trailer forAtlas, a new Jennifer Lopez-starring sci-fi film that looks like a cross betweenTerminatorandThe CreatorwithEvangelion-like mechs thrown in for good measure.

Set for release in late May, the teaser for one of 2024’s manynew Netflix moviesdoesn’t give too much away about its plot. Suffice it to say, though, it appears to be a potentially gripping sci-fi spectacle that will hopefully – I write with as much conviction as I can – contain enough substance to go alongside its flashy visuals.

Per aNetflixpress release, Lopez will play the film’s protagonist Atlas Shepherd, a “misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence”. However, Shepherd is forced to undergo something of an internal paradigm shift when the mission she’s on becomes compromised, meaning she has to team up with a renegade sentient robot if she has any hope of saving humanity from the machines that threaten our existence.

All of the above taken into consideration, Netflix’s latest attempt at making a solid sci-fi flick bears all the hallmarks of similar genre fare we’ve seen countless times before. Indeed, from theTerminatorfranchise andThe Creator(the latter is available to stream onHuluandDisney Plus), toI, Robotand even Netflix’sHeart of Stone– the Gal Gadot-starring action flick that bombed in mid-2023 – it seemsAtlasis pulling from numerous sources to, ironically, distinguish itself from the pack. For its sake, I pray it isn’t another generic Netflix film offering.

There are reasons to believe it might not flatter to deceive, too. Its plot has been penned by Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite, who have written acclaimed TV shows in the past – Sardarian worked on crime dramaStartUp, while Coleite is well known for his scripts forStar Trek: Discovery(viewable onParamount Plus). Brad Peyton, perhaps best known for directing two bang average Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson films inRampageandSan Andreas, is in the hot seat for this one. If nothing else, at least we know what we’ll be getting from a Peyton flick, but I live in hope it’ll be better than I expect.

A new look at Jennifer Lopez in ATLAS. Her mission begins May 24. pic.twitter.com/EqaGU9KolBMarch 13, 2024

Regardless of whether it ends up being any good or not,Atlashas a pretty famous cast that has the necessary pulling power to draw in viewers. Joining Lopez on the roster areMarvelstars Simu Liu (Shang-Chi,Barbie) and Sterling K. Brown (Invincibleseason 2,Black Panther), plus Gregory James Cohen (Winning Time), Mark Strong (The Kingsman), Lana Parrilla (Once Upon A Time), and Abraham Papoola (Extraordinary).

It remains to be seen ifAtlaswill make its way onto ourbest Netflix movieslist but, given the on-screen talent attached to it, I’m sure it’ll be a hit for the world’sbest streaming service. There are many examples of Netflix films that have been poorly received by critics, only to storm the streamer’s movie charts when they’ve been released to the public. Netflix, then, will be hopingAtlascan do likewise – you know, unless it’s actually good, which, as I’ve said enough times already, I hope it is.

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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

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