The upcoming remake of the classic 1950’s science fiction movie The Day The Earth Stood Still, starring Keanu Reaves, Kathy Bates, Jennifer Connely, Jaden Smith, and John Cleese, has released some new footage, which can be found at io9.com. The seven and a half minutes cover scenes from Klaatu’s (Keanu Reeves) arrival on the planet Earth, some samplings of his strange powers, his interactions with people, and the beginning of the destruction of our planet by mysterious giant “spheres” that appear almost invisible.

The original film, released in 1951 and based on a short story by author Harry Bates, tells the tale of a mysterious spacecraft that appears on Earth. It was a metaphor for the ongoing Communist Red Scare and the Cold War, and depicted the amicable alien Klaatu and his gigantic robot guardian Gort coming to Earth hoping to spread a message of peace. Despite some critical attacks at its release for seemingly Communist sympathies in its message about human good will and peace, the original movie has gone onto be revered as one of the great films of all time, and is memorable for the trademark line of the film “Klaatu barada nikto”. The remake, which the creators have explained deals more with environmental issues and the nature of human violence in general, will hit theaters December 12th, 2008.

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By Costa Koutsoutis, source; (io9.com)