Steven Spielberg has confirmed that his new sci-fi film, Disclosure Day, is not a sequel to his 1977 classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The director addressed fan speculation in a recent interview, stating unequivocally that there is no literal or textual connection between the two films.
Disclosure Day, Spielberg's first film in four years, stars Emily Blunt as a TV meteorologist and Josh O'Connor as a cybersecurity expert who uncover a widespread conspiracy about alien existence. The film's trailer, which features a flying saucer, led some fans to believe it was a nod to Close Encounters, but Spielberg has dismissed this theory.
While both films explore cover-ups of alien life, Spielberg noted key differences. In Close Encounters, the government is responsible for the concealment, whereas in Disclosure Day, it is a 'deep state contracting company'. He explained that he believes governments struggle to keep secrets, but large tech and contracting companies can.
Spielberg drew inspiration for Disclosure Day from the 2023 US congressional hearings on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). He incorporated language from the hearings into the film's dialogue, noting that the testimony under oath was credible. Co-star Emily Blunt also prepared by watching numerous congressional hearings and documentaries.
The director recently expressed optimism that humanity may discover extraterrestrial life within his lifetime, stating that his view has become more realistic. Disclosure Day, which also stars Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Eve Hewson, and Wyatt Russell, is now in cinemas.
