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Jenna Ortega Shines at the ‘Klara and the Sun’ Photocall as Taika Waititi’s Sci-Fi Drama Finally Arrives

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Few films have taken quite as winding a road to theaters as ‘Klara and the Sun’, Taika Waititi’s adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel. Starring Jenna Ortega as Klara, the film was shot in New Zealand from January to April 2024 under the working title ‘Tears and Rain’, then sat on Sony’s shelf for more than 2 years.

The story follows Klara, a solar-powered “Artificial Friend” designed to prevent loneliness who waits in a shop window hoping to be chosen. When she meets Josie, played by Mia Tharia, the two immediately sense a kindred spirit in each other, and Klara soon finds herself trying to help a heartbroken family.

Now the long-awaited film is finally getting its moment, and its star is leading the charge. Ortega stepped out for the film’s photocall at The Corinthia Hotel in London, where she was joined by co-star Amy Adams and director Taika Waititi.

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For the occasion, Ortega wore a white top with bright yellow sleeves and a black collar, paired with a black skirt. She kept her hair pulled back with soft face-framing strands, and the cheerful pop of yellow felt like a fitting nod to the film’s sunny title.

The photocall comes just ahead of the film’s first big public showing. ‘Klara and the Sun’ will screen as a headline gala at the 70th BFI London Film Festival on October 15. The festival has described the film as a luminous adaptation in which Ortega plays an enthusiastic Artificial Friend desperate to find a loving home.

After its London debut, the movie arrives in theaters in Australia and New Zealand on October 22, followed by its U.S. release on October 23. Alongside Ortega, Adams and Tharia, the ensemble includes Aran Murphy as Rick, plus Steve Buscemi, Natasha Lyonne and Simon Baker.

The film marks a reunion for Ortega and Buscemi, who previously worked together on the second season of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’. Waititi co-wrote the screenplay with Dahvi Waller, and the film is produced by David Heyman and Garrett Basch. It runs 116 minutes and comes from Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures.

The film draws on the work of one of literature’s most celebrated writers. Ishiguro is also known for his novel ‘Never Let Me Go’ and wrote the screenplay for ‘Living’, the English-language remake of ‘Ikiru’.

For Waititi, the project marks a return to directing after a period away. Production took place largely around Wānaka on New Zealand’s South Island, with additional filming in Auckland.

Commercially, the film faces an interesting test. Early tracking from Boxoffice Pro projects a domestic opening of $6 million to $10 million, noting that the movie lacks the genre-driven appeal of some of Ortega’s biggest hits.

That makes the London premiere and the surrounding press tour especially important. Ortega’s star power, paired with Waititi’s name and Ishiguro’s beloved novel, will be key to drawing audiences.

For fans who have waited years to see the adaptation, the photocall offers a welcome sign that the film is finally ready for its spotlight. Ortega’s bright look and the cast’s warm presence in London have only added to the excitement. With the festival gala just around the corner, all eyes will soon turn to how critics respond to Waititi’s take on the story. For now, the buzz is clearly building.

Are you excited to see Jenna Ortega star in Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun?

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