Fly Me to the Moon (2024)

Detailed Summary

Meet-Cute in Cocoa Beach

Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson), a slick Madison Avenue marketer, is recruited by government agent Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson) to revamp NASA’s image. She moves to Florida, where she clashes—with sparks—with launch director Cole Davis (Channing Tatum) over her flashy PR tactics.

Project Artemis – The Fake Moon Landing

Under blackmail over her murky past, Kelly is tasked with preparing a staged moon landing broadcast as insurance if Apollo 11 fails. She covertly assembles a production team, including a flamboyant film director, to build the fake set.

Congressional Showdown

When NASA funding is threatened, Kelly and Cole team up to charm a skeptical, faith-driven senator. Their successful pitch bonds them—and the tension escalates as Kelly’s guilty conscience grows.

The Big Launch

Moments before launch, Kelly discovers the fake landing is set to air regardless because the real LEM camera has been sabotaged. She confesses everything to Cole, and they work together to fix the camera just in time.

Movie Ending

As Apollo 11 launches, the film cuts between NASA’s authentic archival footage and the fake set up in that hangar. The tension peaks when Kelly and Cole watch, unsure which feed is live. A stray cat wanders onto the fake set—revealing it’s not live—confirming audiences worldwide are watching the genuine mission. NASA celebrates the historic moon landing. Moe grudgingly drops his threats. Kelly reveals her real first name, Winnie, to Cole. The film closes with them standing together ashore, reunited and looking forward as the astronauts return home, symbolizing both a personal and national triumph.

Are There Post‑Credits Scenes?

No post‑credits scene appears. The story concludes with Kelly and Cole’s reconciliation and the real moon landing; there’s no additional tag or Easter‑egg after the credits roll.

Type of Movie

A period romantic comedy‑drama set during the high‑stakes Space Race. It balances historical fiction, light comedy, romance, and a conspiracy subplot with underlying moral questions.

Cast

• Scarlett Johansson as Kelly Jones
• Channing Tatum as Cole Davis
• Woody Harrelson as Moe Berkus
• Jim Rash as Lance Vespertine
• Anna Garcia as Ruby
• Ray Romano as Senator Henry Smalls
• Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Nick Dillenburg in supporting roles

Film Music and Composer

Score by Daniel Pemberton, known for blending orchestral richness with period‑appropriate tones. The music underscores both intense mission scenes and tender romantic beats.

Filming Locations

• Cape Kennedy (Kennedy Space Center), Florida: Live sequences and launch pad shots reinforce authenticity.
• Atlanta, Georgia: Principal photography began here, standing in for NASA interiors and launch control .
  The locations matter: Cape Kennedy roots the film in real space history; Atlanta’s controlled sets let the filmmakers craft the faux moon‑landing hangar and period details.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated Saturn Award (Best Action/Adventure Film) – 2025.
• Shortlisted for Golden Trailer Awards (Best Comedy, Best Romance).

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Greg Berlanti replaced Jason Bateman as director due to creative differences; Channing Tatum joined later.
• The team worked closely with NASA, incorporating real footage—over half the launch sequence uses archival material.
• Production began in Atlanta in October 2022.

Inspirations and References

• Heavily inspired by Marketing the Moon, a nonfiction account of how the Apollo missions were publicized .
• Borrowed aesthetic influence from documentaries like Apollo 11: First Steps Edition.
• Echoes of Hidden Figures, Apollo 13, and ‘60s rom‑coms like Down With Love and shows like Mad Men appear in tone and style.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No official alternate endings have been released. Some deleted scenes reportedly include extended first‑meeting banter in Cocoa Beach and deeper backstory for Kelly’s past—but none have surfaced publicly.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film isn’t based on a novel but on a historical narrative (Marketing the Moon) and speculative fiction about faking the moon landing. It takes creative liberties—most notably the fake‑landing plot, which is dramatized for romance and moral stakes, rather than rooted in historical conspiracy.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Kelly and Cole’s first awkward diner encounter with burning paperwork.
• The clandestine fake‑moon‑landing production in the hangar.
• The tense reveal: cat appears on fake set, confirming real landing footage is airing.

Iconic Quotes

• Kelly: “They want me to sell the Moon.”
• Cole: “We’re sending people to the Moon. It’s not an ad campaign.”
• Kelly (confessing): “I built a lie.”
• Cole (comforting): “We fix it together.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Otto references to real 1960s ads—Tang boxes, NASA watches—appear subtly in extras’ props.
• Archival NASA footage is color‑graded to blend seamlessly with new scenes, tricking even production insiders.
• Kelly using the alias “Winnie” nods to hidden identities in space‑race PR.

Trivia

• Over half the launch footage is authentic NASA film .
• Scarlett Johansson is also a credited producer.
• The fake‑landing director character was originally written as straight; rewrites made him flamboyantly gay for comic effect — criticized for stereotypical portrayal .

Why Watch?

If you’re into nostalgic period romances with a twist, or enjoy Hidden Figures, Apollo 13, and lighthearted conspiracies mixed with history, this film delivers heartfelt chemistry, moral tension, and an authentic Apollo atmosphere rooted in real footage and high production value.

Director’s Other Movies

• Love, Simon (2018)
• Dawson’s Creek (TV) – Berlanti-directed episodes
• The Flash (2023) – executive producer

Recommended Films for Fans

• Hidden Figures (2016) – Space‑race era with emotional core
• Apollo 13 (1995) – Genuine mission suspense
• First Man (2018) – Personal, historical lunar journey
• Down With Love (2003) – Playful ’60s romance pastiche
• The Right Stuff (1983) – Early astronaut program drama