Unlike several contemporary films where CGI is used to depict the spacecraft and the vast space, director James Gray decided to use practical effects like models and props for the spacecraft exterior shots. Also, instead of using CGI for planets, he decided to use still images to portray the surface of the planets. This same technique was used in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).
Clifford McBride says that he has cataracts and has trouble seeing. Cataracts are one of the projected health problems linked to exposure to solar radiation during an extended period in space.
Director James Gray admitted to Empire magazine that he had to compromise with the studio on the ending of the movie to get the film green-lit and even with a major star/producer like Brad Pitt on board they still struggled for years to get it made.
When Roy reviews the Top Secret message given to him by Colonel Pruitt, the filename is shown as 6EQUJ5. Astronomy fans will immediately recognize this as the character string representing the so-called "Wow!" signal heard by a radio telescope listening in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius in 1977.
The real-life Wow! signal, which was similar to what might be expected from an intelligent extraterrestrial source, has never been explained - and has never been heard again.
The real-life Wow! signal, which was similar to what might be expected from an intelligent extraterrestrial source, has never been explained - and has never been heard again.
The production team behind Ad Astra contacted Richard Branson's Virgin group a couple of years ago and asked if they could use their branding in the movie. The company representative agreed - "We thought it was a really fun concept and were really happy to get involved." So, McBride catches a ride on a Virgin Atlantic shuttle to the moon.