Lucy Liu Boards ‘Reset,’ Sci-Fi Short Being Developed Into a Feature, as EP (Exclusive)

Lucy Liu’s storied career has been marked by versatility in Hollywood. From her breakthrough role on Ally McBeal to critically acclaimed performances in films like Kill Bill and Shanghai Noon, she has consistently pushed boundaries and defied genre conventions. Her latest venture takes her into uncharted territory: executive producing a feature film adaptation of the sci-fi short Reset. This project demonstrates Liu’s commitment to supporting emerging talent, as well as exploring themes that are both deeply personal and universally relevant.

The world premiere of Reset at the Fantasia International Film Festival received critical acclaim, including the Silver Audience Award for best international short film. The short, directed by Celine Tien and Jerry Hsu, is set in a dystopian near-future where citizens are physically reset to six years old at the age of 65. The story follows a young woman’s quest to care for her newly reset mother and find her estranged father before the state intervenes – only to discover that healing her family means reparenting the child her mother never had the chance to be.

At its core, Reset is a film about intergenerational trauma and empathy. Tien and Hsu drew from their own families’ experiences with inherited trauma, giving the narrative authenticity and nuance. By exploring complex relationships between mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, Reset raises fundamental questions about what it means to grow up.

Liu’s involvement in this project is significant due to her reputation as a fearless performer and her commitment to supporting emerging talent. Her enthusiasm for Reset is evident: “Supporting Reset has been a true joy,” she said in a statement. “Seeing such gifted filmmakers bring their vision to life is a powerful reminder that storytelling remains our most enduring form of art.”

The intersection of family, trauma, and storytelling is complex, and Reset navigates these themes with sophistication. By examining the ways in which experiences are inherited from one generation to the next, the film raises fundamental questions about empathy and compassion. Do we ever really grow up, or do we simply carry forward the traumas of those who came before us?

The feature adaptation of Reset is currently in active development, according to the creative team. Given Liu’s involvement and the critical acclaim surrounding the short film, it will be interesting to see how this project evolves in the coming months. Will the feature maintain the same level of nuance and complexity that made the short such a standout? Only time will tell.

The official teaser trailer for Reset has been premiered exclusively by THR, offering a glimpse into the world of this thought-provoking sci-fi drama. With its blend of stunning visuals, complex themes, and outstanding performances, Reset is shaping up to be one of the most exciting projects of the year.