The EarthThe film is set in the future, but not a postapocalyptic one as far as Earth is concerned. Rather, Mr. Hood was interested in the concept of a “beautiful Earth,” as he called it: he wanted audiences to look at the planet and understand why aliens would covet its resources. “This was a dream of mine, to be able to look down and feel not only that I’m up in space but my planet is beautiful, rather than dystopian and miserable with everything falling to bits,” he said. He asked Mr. Butler and the visual effects crew to enhance the planet’s look ever so slightly to give this shot an even greater sense of wonder. The blue of the ocean grew bluer, and the sunlight reflecting on the water was heightened. “The movie has a lot of dark moments,” Mr. Hood said, “and it felt like we needed some moments of joy.”