Company Behind Tom Cruise Space Movie Plans Zero-Gravity Studio in Orbit

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SEE-1 module
An image of the planned SEE-1 space station module. (Space Entertainment Enterprise)

Word leaked out in 2020 that Tom Cruise was planning to film a movie on board the International Space Station. With multiple delays in releasing or completing Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Mission: Impossible" movies, there hasn't been any more news until now.

We knew that NASA was involved in the project, because they tweeted about it and confirmed the rumors but we didn't know about Space Entertainment Enterprise, the production company that's going all-in on space-based entertainment.

Related: NASA Confirms Tom Cruise Is Set to Film Aboard the International Space Station

S.E.E. has announced plans to build the SEE-1 space station module, a structure that will include a sports and entertainment arena and a movie production studio before December 2024. Those are ambitious plans and an even more ambitious timeline.

This would be a big step forward for plans to commercialize space by private enterprise. S.E.E. will work with Axiom Space, the company that NASA awarded a contract to develop business opportunities for the International Space Station.

Axiom is building a new arm of the station for commercial enterprise. The S.E.E. module will dock on the arm, which also will be used for businesses that promote space tourism.

"SEE-1 is an incredible opportunity for humanity to move into a different realm and start an exciting new chapter in space," S.E.E. founders Dmitry and Elena Lesnevsky said in a statement. "It will provide a unique and accessible home for boundless entertainment possibilities in a venue packed with innovative infrastructure which will unleash a new world of creativity.”

The company says that the low-orbit, microgravity environment will include facilities for the production, recording, broadcasting and livestreaming of content. Those are the kind of buzzy and vague words that get investors excited, but they also suggest all kinds of new showbiz options to entertain us down here on Earth.

Let's guess that the still-untitled Tom Cruise movie will be the first project to use the orbiting studio. After he kicks off a new era of zero-gravity entertainment, what comes next? Here are some ideas.

MMA. You've got to think that the UFC is all over this and planning to bring mixed martial arts combat to space. It's sure to be the biggest pay-per-view event of all time.

Game shows. Doesn't "American Ninja Warriors in Space" just seem like a surefire #1 hit show? Who doesn't want to see that?

Romance competition shows. You think "The Bachelor" gets people to spill their secrets. How much more vulnerable will everyone be when they're floating 250 miles above Earth?

Reality shows. "Real Housewives of Zero Gravity" would have even more backstabbing once you take shopping out of the equation.

Concerts. You do realize that Dave Grohl and his Foo Fighters are 100% certain to be the first band to play a show in space, right?

Sports. We've been waiting 50 years for "Rollerball" to come true. Now just imagine the zero-gravity version played with jetpacks instead of motorcycles.

This all sounds amazing, and there are sure to be hundreds of even better ideas. Stand by for liftoff.

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