Colman Domingo teases what to expect from Steven Spielberg‘s upcoming UFO movie, along with how it compares to the director’s past science-fiction stories. Domingo, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, Josh O’Connor, and Wyatt Russell have been cast in the top-secret project. Many of Spielberg’s movies have been in the science-fiction genre, including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurᴀssic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and the 2005 War of the Worlds remake starring Tom Cruise.

While on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Domingo was asked how Spielberg’s new movie compares to previous alien stories he has directed. Domingo teased that “it’s something new and different” and that it’s “a love letter to humanity.” He discusses how, in addition to directing, Spielberg also co-wrote the movie, and that it feels true to the essence of the filmmaker and his legacy. Check out Domingo’s comments below:

Josh Horowitz: So, where on the spectrum of alien movies—is it more Close Encounters or War of the Worlds? What’s the vibe?

Colman Domingo: I think it’s something new. I think it’s something new and different. But I’ll tell you one thing it has, it has so much heart… I feel like it’s a love letter to our humanity. […] He co-wrote this one, so I feel like this is very Steven Spielberg. It’s probably more Steven Spielberg than Steven Spielberg.

What This Means For Steven Spielberg’s New Movie

It Will Be Hopeful

Domingo’s comments indicate that Spielberg’s UFO movie will be an equally bold and hopeful story. This is consistent with many of Spielberg’s past movies, including the ones Domingo is asked about during the interview. Close Encounters of the Third Kind and War of the Worlds include deeply thrilling and creative sequences related to the respective movies’ aliens. At the same time, Close Encounters and War of the Worlds‘ endings are ultimately hopeful and celebrate the power of humanity.

While many science-fiction now go in a darker direction and overlap with the horror genre, Spielberg’s UFO movie will remain optimistic through its heart, its ability to be a love letter to humanity, and how it is “probably more Steven Spielberg than Steven Spielberg.” These thematic parallels and expansions of the filmmaker’s earlier work are likely to win over longtime fans of his work, especially for those who enjoy his science-fiction movies. He has an effective approach to the genre that he continues to explore.

Our Take On Colman Domingo’s Comments

It’s Good To See Steven Spielberg Returning To Science-Fiction

As much as I enjoyed Spielberg’s last movie, The Fabelmans, which had positive reviews, I am excited to see him returning to science-fiction and specifically to an alien story. The hopefulness and heart he brings to his movies are refreshing, and I am relieved to hear that these elements continue to be hallmarks of his latest movie. With the story being co-written by Steven Spielberg and Jurᴀssic Park‘s David Koepp, the star-studded cast that includes Domingo, and the much-needed optimism the actor teases, the May 2026 movie is one of my most anticipated releases.

Source: Happy Sad Confused/YouTube