PLOT:
Foster stars as young, driven astronomer Dr. Eleanor Arroway in this visionary drama about humankind's first encounter with evidence of extra-terrestrial life. As the Earth hurtles toward a new millennium, Ellie realizes her lifelong dream when she detects intelligent radio signals from deep outer space. While the countries of the world unite in an effort to decode the transmission which could transform the course of human events, she finds herself among those vying to become the single representative who will explore the mysteries conveyed from the message's unknown extra-terrestrial source.
McConaughey stars as Palmer Joss, a non-denominational missionary who becomes a top-level government advisor on religious affairs and a trusted confidant to Ellie. Woods portrays National Security Advisor Michael Kitz, and Bassett appears as Rachel Constantine, a high-ranking presidential advisor. Hurt portrays influential and enigmatic billionaire S. R. Hadden, and Lowe is Richard Rank, the leader of a powerful, conservative religious coalition. Skerritt plays David Drumlin, Ellie's former mentor who becomes her competitor in the selection of the planet's single representative, while Fichtner is Ellie's long-time colleague, Kent Cullers. Morse portrays Ellie's father, Ted, who inspires her love of astronomy as a young girl.
January 25, 1997: Production photo (above) from USA Today.
December 20, 1996: Author and celebrated astronomer Carl Sagan dies of cancer.
September 23, 1996: Contact starts shooting in locations which include
New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Florida, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
August 18, 1996: Tom Skerritt may join the cast.