Planet 51 Star Brings NASA's Message of Exploration Down to Earth
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WASHINGTON -- Actor Dwayne Johnson, usually known for his action and
comedic film roles, takes to the stars as an astronaut in a new
animated feature that brings important messages about the importance
of space exploration and education to those of us here on Earth.
Johnson provides the voice of space explorer Chuck Baker in the new
Sony family film "Planet 51" and is featured in a series of new
public service announcements dealing with education, diversity and
NASA "spinoff" technologies. The public service announcements are
available on NASA's YouTube site and the agency's Internet homepage.
In a public service announcement about diversity, Johnson underscores
the importance of a global work force: "On this planet promoting
diversity is very important. At NASA, astronauts from all
nationalities and backgrounds work together aboard the International
Space Station to help improve our lives here on Earth. I'm here to
tell you that every barrier is meant to be broken, whether it's the
sound barrier, the furthest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, the
outer limits of our solar system, or the challenges we face here at
home."
"Films are such a powerful way to reach out to new audiences and
excite them about space exploration," NASA Deputy Administrator Lori
Garver said. "Dwayne will enlighten families about the importance of
learning science and math and celebrating others' differences. He
also informs the public about some NASA technologies which are used
right here on Earth."
NASA Television also will air the public service announcements during
its programming starting Friday and will make the PSAs available to
local television and radio stations. The date coincides with the
theatrical release of "Planet 51."
"Planet 51" is an animated adventure-comedy revolving around an
American astronaut who lands on Planet 51 thinking he's the first
person to explore this new world. To his surprise, Baker finds little
green extraterrestrials inhabiting the planet who are happily living
in a white picket fence-world reminiscent of a cheerfully innocent
1950s America.
The agency permitted the use of the NASA Insignia on Chuck's space
suit in the family feature. Along with Johnson, the film also stars
Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott, and John
Cleese. It is directed by Jorge Blanco, co-directed by Javier Abad
and Marcos Martinez, written by Joe Stillman, and produced by Ignacio
Perez Dolset and Guy Collins.
To view the public service announcements on NASA's YouTube site,
visit:
http://www.youtube.com/user/
For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
Source: NASA
