Are Earthlings alone? Half of humans believe in alien life
AMSTERDAM: Nearly half of humans believe in alien life and want to make contact, a survey in 24 countries has found, in what researchers said helps to explain the lasting popularity of the Star Wars franchise 40 years after the first movie was screened. On the eve of the release of The Last Jedi, researchers published findings that 47 percent of more than 26,000 respondents believe “in the existence of intelligent alien civilizations in the universe”.
An even greater 61 percent said “yes” when asked if they believe in “some form of life on other planets”. Roughly a quarter said they do not believe intelligent life exists beyond Earth, researchers at Glocalities said.
Among those who believe we are not alone in the universe, 60% said we should try to seek contact with alien civilizations, it found.
It was not the first survey to collect views on extraterrestrial beings — questionnaires in Germany, Britain and the United States have found similar rates — but researchers said this was the largest poll of its kind with such global reach.
JJ ABRAMS, TARANTINO TEAM UP FOR ‘STAR TREK’ FILM
JJ Abrams and Quentin Tarantino are joining forces to work on a Star Trek film. Tarantino has pitched a story idea to Abrams and the duo is planning to develop a movie at Paramount studio, confirmed The Hollywood Reporter.
Tarantino is eyeing to direct the potential project. He also serves as a producer on the franchise even as he has signed up to direct Star Wars: Episode IX, which releases in 2019. Abrams had rebooted the franchise in 2009 with Star Trek and also went on to helm Star Trek into Darkness, before hitching his wagon to Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.