Obscured Releasing Acquires Distribution Rights for "Starman" Documentary

Obscured Releasing, a newly established distribution company founded by RJ Millard and Bill Guentzler, has secured the North American distribution rights for the documentary "Starman." Directed by Academy Award nominee Robert Stone, the film is set to debut on Video on Demand (VOD) platforms in March 2026, following a nationwide theatrical release in February. "Starman" chronicles the life and career of Gentry Lee, an influential NASA engineer and acclaimed science fiction author, who has made significant contributions to space exploration and robotic missions.

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At 82 years old, Gentry Lee has had a distinguished career in space engineering, notably working on the Galileo mission from 1977 to 1988, as well as the Stardust and Deep Impact missions during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He also played a critical role in the Mars Exploration Rovers' engineering oversight, which successfully landed on Mars in 2004. In addition to his engineering achievements, Lee co-authored the science fiction novels "Cradle" and "Rama II" with Arthur C. Clarke and collaborated with Carl Sagan on the iconic 1980 television series "Cosmos."

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"Starman" premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival and has since participated in various film festivals, including the Seattle International Film Festival, DocLands Film Festival, and the Woodstock Film Festival. The documentary aims to provide insights into Lee's extraordinary life while addressing universal questions about space and human imagination.

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Millard and Guentzler expressed their enthusiasm for the project, stating, “With ‘Starman,’ director Robert Stone expands the audience’s understanding of the universe by deftly examining the extraordinary life and monumental career of Gentry Lee.” Robert Stone also conveyed his excitement about collaborating with Obscured Releasing, emphasizing their expertise in documentary promotion and distribution.

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While the documentary has received positive attention, there may be critiques regarding its portrayal of Lee's contributions or the broader implications of his work in space exploration. However, specific dissenting viewpoints were not highlighted in the available sources.

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As "Starman" prepares for its theatrical release in February 2026, followed by its VOD launch in March, the film is expected to attract a diverse audience interested in space science and the intersection of engineering and imagination.

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• “ “With ‘Starman,’ director Robert Stone expands the audience’s understanding of the universe by deftly examining the extraordinary life and monumental career of Gentry Lee.” — RJ Millard and Bill Guentzler, Co-founders of Obscured Releasing

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• “I’m enormously excited to be working with Obscured to bring Starman to a general audience, and honored to have it among their first acquisitions.” — Robert Stone, Director

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