Tagline: We were warned.
“2012” revolves a family who goes on vacation in December 2012, just as the Mayan calendar is coming to a close. Over the decades, many have prophesized that the world will end when the ancient calendar ceases on December 21, 2012.
Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. “2012” is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.
Centuries ago, the Mayans left us their calendar, with a clear end date and all that it implies. Since then, astrologists have discovered it, numerologists have found patterns that predict it, geologists say the earth is overdue for it, and even government scientists cannot deny the cataclysm of epic proportions that awaits the earth in 2012. A prophecy that began with the Mayans has now been, discussed, taken apart and examined. By 2012, we’ll know – we were warned.
About the Film
The idea for 2012 first occurred to writer / producer / composer Harald Kloser, Roland Emmerich’s writing partner. “Every civilization on Earth has a flood myth,” says Kloser. “Things are going wrong, society isn’t working anymore, and the planet starts over. Some people get a second chance to start a new culture, a new society, a new civilization.”
The idea crystallized as Kloser and Emmerich discovered a compelling hook on which to hang their contemporary flood story. The Mayan calendar is set to reach the end of its 13th cycle on December 21, 2012 – and nothing follows that date. That, of course, begs the question – if the calendar doesn’t continue, what will follow? “You will find millions of people, from all walks of life, who believe that in 2012 there will be some kind of shift in society, or a shift in spirit,” says Kloser. The scope and variety of theories provided inspiration for Emmerich and Kloser as they penned their screenplay.
Read the Full Production Notes
2012
Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Thomas McCarthy, Woody Harrelson, Chin Han
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Screenplay by: Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser
Release: November 13, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense disaster sequences, language.
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Box Office Totals
Domestic: $166,112,167 (21.6%)
Foreign: $603,567,306 (78.4%)
Total: $769,679,473 (Worldwide)