Valerian

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Project info:

Senior Concept Designer Art DirectorFilm – Science FictionJuly 21, 2017

Two operatives of the United Human Federation, Valerian and Laureline, are sent on a critical mission to Alpha, a sprawling city teeming with thousands of species from across the galaxy. Amid the vibrant streets and alien cultures, they uncover a dark and destructive force lurking beneath the city—a threat far greater than anything they could have imagined.As they dig deeper, they realize that this danger doesn’t just endanger Alpha, but could destabilize the entire universe. Racing against time, the duo must navigate political intrigue, alien factions, and unforeseen perils to prevent a catastrophe that could reshape the galaxy forever.

Created by: Luc Besson
Running Time:2H 9M

// Engineering Fear

K-TRONs:Designing Valerian’s Futuristic Security Forces

For the K-TRONS i wanted to create something lethal, sinister and advanced looking that would stand out from other designs in the film. Working back and forth with Luc on this in the film was a great experience to see come to life.Good design disappears into the story. It doesn’t just look cool it feels inevitable, like it was always meant to be there. That’s the standard I hold myself to on every project, whether I’m working with a studio or building my own universe.

// Populating Alpha

Alien Species Design: Crafting Life Across the City of a Thousand Planets

Mauro was heavily involved in defining many of the film’s alien species, from the graceful and ethereal Pearls to the strange and often bizarre lifeforms found across Alpha. His designs balanced biology, costume, and cultural identity, giving each species a distinctive silhouette and internal storytelling logic.Working closely with director Luc Besson, Mauro ensured that these creatures were more than visually striking — they communicated social hierarchy, personality, and cultural richness. His contributions were central to making the “city of a thousand planets” feel endlessly diverse, immersive, and populated with unique, memorable lifeforms that enriched the narrative world.

// Fusing Design & Imagination

Skyjet: Crafting Lexus’ Futuristic Spacecraft for Valerian

Mauro designed the Lexus-branded Skyjet, blending automotive cues with advanced aerospace design to fit Valerian’s futuristic world. He refined both interior and exterior design, ensuring ergonomic logic and branding integration.The Skyjet became one of the film’s most recognizable elements, appearing on-screen and in global marketing campaigns, showcasing the fusion of real-world design with cinematic imagination.

// Shaping an Entire Universe

Shaping the Visual Identity of a Thousand Worlds

Across Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Ben Mauro’s contributions were wide-ranging and foundational. From designing the authoritarian K-TRON robots and major alien species, to creatures, environments, weapons, props, and vehicles like the Skyjet, Mauro’s work touched nearly every aspect of the production.His designs gave visual coherence to Luc Besson’s ambitious vision, balancing imagination with realism to ensure the film’s universe felt both spectacular and believable. Mauro’s fingerprints can be seen throughout the film’s most iconic moments, making his involvement central to shaping the visual identity of one of the most ambitious science fiction films ever attempted.