The upcoming Apple TV + series –The Mosquito Coast — takes a different approach to telling the story of inventor Allie Fox than the 1986 film that starred Harrison Ford in the lead role.
While the movie had Fox living with his family in Mexico, the upcoming prequel series comes through the lens of the madman genius uprooting his wife and kids and fleeing from the U.S. government to Mexico.
And on Friday fans got a first-look with the release of the debut trailer that captures all the high-tension action and emotion with Justin Theroux as the lead.
Teaser: The first trailer for the upcoming Apple TV+ series The Mosquito Coast, starring Justin Theroux, dropped on Friday, February 19
‘Thrilled to announce something many, many talented people have been working on for a very, very long time,’ Theroux, 49, wrote when he posted the trailer on his Instagram page on Friday.
Theroux actually has a special connection to the story: he’s the nephew of Paul Theroux, the author of the 1981 novel of the same name that the story is based on.
Off the top of the teaser, there’s a quiet tension building as his character, an idealist with anti-commercialism philosophy, sits down for a talk with his daughter Dina (Logan Polish).
Tension: Off the top of the teaser, there’s a quiet tension building as Theroux’s character, Allie Fox, an idealist with anti-commercialism philosophy, insinuates to his daughter Dina (Logan Polish) that the family have a serious problem on their hands
Ominous: Fox’s wife Margot (Melissa George) appears to be in a precarious situation as she whispers to her husband, ‘the kids could get hurt’
On the run! A sequence of car chase scenes follow with Fox in the driver’s seat and the Feds seemingly hot on their trail
‘Dad why are you doing this to us?’ Dina asks her dad before adding, ‘Why is it such a big secret?’
Looking deep into her eyes, he honestly and calmly replies: ‘Because we have a problem.’
A sequence of car chase scenes follow with Fox in the driver’s seat and the Feds seemingly hot on their trail.
Melissa George plays Margot, Fox’s wife and mother to their children: Dina and son Charlie (Gabriel Bateman).
Scary situation: ‘Dad why are you doing this to us?’ Dina asks he dad before adding, ‘Why is it such a big secret?’
The family of four are seen on the run in a number of locations
Back to the small screen: This is Theroux’s first lead role on television series since his hit HBO supernatural drama, The Leftovers (2014-2017)
As the high octane scenes mount, the couple appear to be in a precarious situation as they discuss whether ‘the kids could get hurt.’
Eventually, Fox insinuates that the family have a serious and complicated problem on their hands.
‘This going to be an adventure’ he tells his daughter, who promptly shoots back, ‘Are you scared?’
‘Absolutely,’ he replies. ‘If it didn’t feel that way it wouldn’t be an adventure.’
The stakes appear to rise when the family of four are on the run in several instances, including city streets and in a desolate desert.
The teaser ends with sirens glaring and Fox urging his daughter: ‘We need to go.’
Breaking point: The stakes appear to rise as the trailer reaches the climax
Dangers around the corner: At one point Theroux is confronted by a gang of men
Series debut: The seven-episode series is executive produced by creator Neil Cross; Theroux also serves and an executive producer
The seven-episode series is executive produced by creator Neil Cross alongside Rupert Wyatt, who also directs the first two episodes.
Theroux also serves as executive producer with Edward L. McDonnell, Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen and his uncle Paul Theroux.
‘I have a long history with the novel in that I read it as a kid,’ the actor confessed before revealing that there was an element of timing involved for him to be able to take on the role.
‘This was one of those happy accidents where the stars aligned for me to do it,’ he admitted.
‘This is Allie seen through a different prism. You’ll see the evolution of this character is subsequent episodes. I responded to the few initial scripts.’
The first two episodes will begin streaming on April 30 worldwide, and new episodes will follow each Friday after that.
Timing is everything: ‘This was one of those happy accidents where the stars aligned for me to do it,’ Theroux said of the timing involved for him to be able to take on the role
Coming soon: The first two episodes will begin streaming on Apple TV+ on April 30 worldwide, and new episodes will follow each Friday after that
Family connection: Theroux is the nephew of Paul Theroux, the author of the 1981 novel of the same name that the story is based on