New set pH๏τos from Steven Spielberg’s upcoming UFO movie reveal the first look at Emily Blunt and Wyatt Russell’s characters. The unтιтled film, currently in production, is Spielberg’s first directorial project since The Fabelmans. With a screenplay by Jurᴀssic Park co-writer David Koepp, it is being produced by Amblin Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. It is scheduled for release on June 12, 2026, following a slight delay from its original May 15, 2026 date. Plot and character details remain under wraps.

According to NJ.com, Spielberg was spotted on set in Montville, New Jersey, alongside Blunt and Russell. The images shared on their site show the two actors filming at a gas station, with Spielberg seen speaking to them in some sH๏τs. At two different points, Blunt and Russell were seen clasping each other’s arms. Continued filming is expected to take place in Woodbine, New Jersey in March, where production held an open casting call for background actors. In addition to Blunt and Russell, the cast includes Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Josh O’Connor. To see the set images, click here.

What This Means For Spielberg’s Latest Sci-Fi Project

Few Details Have Been Revealed, But There Are Clues

Blunt’s involvement follows her Academy Award-nominated performance in Oppenheimer. Blunt’s filmography includes A Quiet Place and its sequel, as well as Edge of Tomorrow, both of which showcased her in high-concept sci-fi roles. Russell, known for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and the upcoming Thunderbolts*, adds another major project to his career with this film. Details of their specific roles are under wraps, but it seems, based on the images, they could be playing a couple.

Moreover, Spielberg’s return to the sci-fi genre is his first venture since War of the Worlds, which was also written by Koepp. Their collaboration spans over 30 years, including Jurᴀssic Park, The Lost World: Jurᴀssic Park, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Spielberg’s previous movies with extraterrestrial narratives include Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, both of which became notorious works in the genre.

Production is utilizing multiple locations across New Jersey, bringing Spielberg back to a familiar area. His previous New Jersey-based productions include West Side Story, which was filmed in Paterson, and War of the Worlds. Spielberg spent most of his childhood in the state, a detail touched on in The Fabelmans. His decision to film in the state seems to stem from a personal place, which could make his new movie even more emotionally resonant.

Our Take On Spielberg’s Return To Sci-Fi

Spielberg’s Movie Already Seems Very Promising

Spielberg directing another sci-fi film after two decades is a major development for his career, and it is cause for excitement. His past collaborations with Koepp have delivered some of the most commercially successful and culturally significant films of his career, and though we can’t see much from the new images, even just a small glimpse of the production is enticing. With Blunt and Russell leading a strong cast, Spielberg’s upcoming project has the potential to stand alongside his best sci-fi films.

Source: NJ.com