Synopsis

In the distant future, the crew of the transport ship Serenity survives by taking whatever jobs the Alliance-controlled worlds will pay for. Their routine changes when they discover that passenger River Tam possesses dangerous knowledge connected to a government conspiracy. Hunted by Alliance forces and savage Reavers, Captain Malcolm Reynolds must decide how far he and his crew will go to expose the truth.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film continues the story of the television series Firefly, which was canceled after a short run. Its screenplay drew on story ideas originally considered for an unproduced second season.

• Universal Pictures acquired the film rights and greenlit production in March 2004 with a budget of less than $40 million, unusually modest for a effects-heavy science-fiction feature.

• Principal photography took place over 50 ten-hour days, using Universal Studios sound stages and Southern California locations. The Reaver pursuit after the bank robbery was filmed along Templin Highway near Santa Clarita.

• The project was deliberately titled Serenity rather than Firefly to present it as a feature film that could stand on its own, while still continuing the television series' story.

• The film became an early test case for digital theatrical exhibition. Using a digital cinema master, it was the first feature to fully conform to the Digital Cinema Initiatives specifications.

• Although its theatrical run produced a worldwide gross close to its production budget, the film developed a stronger long-term reputation through home-video releases and sustained fan interest.

• Serenity won the 2006 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form.