FAQ

It was delayed many time because James Gray wants to perfect the VFX for the movie. Additionally, Disney acquired Fox and the previous release date coincided with Disney's Aladdin, so they had to move it Edit

Since Disney acquired FOX, the film had to change its release date to September 20th to fit Disney's release calendar. The trailer was released the second week in July. Edit

Yes. Ad Astra is an original screenplay written by James Grey and Ethan Gross, where Gray intends to feature the realist depiction of space travel and highlight its hostility to humans.

This film borrows much from Apocalypse Now.

Both films are based on the Joseph Conrad novel "Heart of Darkness" which takes place in late 19th century Africa. Edit

They are random effects. The movie clarifies that no extraterrestrial life exist in their research, and that "We're all we've got!". Edit

It seems that the main ship of the Lima project, which was an anti-matter based malfunctioned when the last loyal crew mutineer-ed against McBride Senior and whatever mishap occurred caused surges across the solar system. Main reason would be that it was an antimatter ship, and as a sci-fi film who knows what kind of power holds such engine, but presumption is that it can derail an entire solar system and destroy any planets, alter orbits etc. Edit