About 'I Am Number Four'

'I Am Number Four' is a 2011 American teen science fiction action film directed by D.J. Caruso. The movie tells the intriguing story of a young alien with extraordinary abilities, alias John Smith, trying to live a normal human life while evading enemies out to kill him for his unique gifts. It is based on the novel of the same name, part of the Lorien Legacies book series by Pittacus Lore.

Making/Production

'I Am Number Four' is produced by Michael Bay, directed by D.J Caruso, and the story is adapted into a screenplay by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Marti Noxon. The cinematography was done by Guillermo Navarro and the film was edited by Vince Filippone and Jim Page. The film was shot in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh.

Actors

• Alex Pettyfer as John Smith / Number Four: As the protagonist of the film, Pettyfer believably portrays the conflict of an alien trying to blend in with teenage normalcy while battling powerful enemies.
• Timothy Olyphant as Henri: Playing the role of guardian and mentor, Olyphant's character guides Number Four throughout his journey, contributing a constant sense of urgency to the narrative.
• Dianna Agron as Sarah: Portraying John’s love interest, Agron brings warmth and innocence to the role, creating a strongly sympathetic character.
• Callan McAuliffe as Sam: A friend who helps John fight against his enemies, McAuliffe's character adds a necessary dimension of human friendship to John’s world.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• The movie was shot in sequence, which is rare for a big-budget Hollywood film.
• Although the film is based on a youth novel, the screenplay took various liberties with the book’s plot to enhance cinematic appeal.
• The character names of John and Sarah are the same as the lead characters in 'Terminator' and 'Terminator 2' - John Connor and Sarah Connor.
• 'I Am Number Four' was the first film from DreamWorks Pictures to be distributed by Disney’s Touchstone Pictures label, following completion of its distribution deal with Paramount Pictures in 2008.

Music, Soundtrack

• "Radioactive" by Kings of Leon
• "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys
• "Soldier On" by The Temper Trap
• "Invented" by Jimmy Eat World
• "Some Nights" by Fun

Quotes

• "Number Four: ‘When you have been hunted for as long as I have, survival becomes a matter of instinct.’"
• "John: ‘You have no idea of what I'm capable of.’"
• "Henri: ‘We protect ourselves so we can live to fight another day.’"

The movie did not win awards but was nominated for "Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy" (Alex Pettyfer) and "Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy" at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards.