Based on James R. Hansen’s book “First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong,” Universal Pictures’ First Man reveals intimate insights into the global hero’s private life and previously unknown character-defining moments.
Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle (La La Land) approached the film from interior angles in order to immerse audiences in this impossible journey.
Chazelle’s fascination with the messiness of mastery drew him to Armstrong’s story. As well, his interest in injecting into a massive period movie—one filled with action set-pieces—a genuine sense of raw spontaneity felt like a natural evolution. While the director admits that type of filmmaking is usually impossible within the constraints imposed by scale or big technical effects, he felt that a tight collaboration with Ryan Gosling—extending to their bond with their fellow production team—would make it feasible.
