Solar Attack (2006) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Lucas Foster races to prevent solar eruptions from igniting Earth's methane, relying on a risky international submarine mission.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Sun's First Warnings

A CME destroys a solar probe and the Galileo spacecraft, while orbital debris and the strike on New Zealand reveal the growing scale of the danger. Lucas discovers the atmosphere's methane concentration and warns that further CMEs could ignite it.

Key Events

• Solar Probe Destroyed — A large CME destroys the SNEL solar probe while it gathers data. Location: Near the Sun
• Galileo Lost — A CME catches and destroys the crewed spacecraft Galileo. Location: Space
• Satellite Debris Threat — CMEs knock satellites out of orbit, creating deadly meteor-like debris. Location: Earth orbit
• New Zealand Struck — A CME destroys New Zealand and leaves a vast mass of molten rock. Location: New Zealand
• Methane Discovered — Lucas discovers that Earth's atmosphere contains five percent methane. Characters: Lucas Foster Location: Global warming research program
• Global Threat Explained — Lucas warns that incoming CMEs could ignite methane and suffocate life. Characters: Lucas Foster Location: Scientific and government discussions

A Plan Against the Flares

Lucas's warning is met with skepticism, including from Joanna. As CMEs hit Earth, a plan emerges to fire nuclear missiles at the North Pole and extinguish the methane flares.

Key Events

• Warnings Doubted — Joanna and other skeptical colleagues do not accept Lucas's warning. Characters: Lucas Foster, Joanna Parks Location: Scientific discussions
• CME Strikes Begin — Further CMEs hit Earth as the danger of methane ignition escalates. Location: Earth
• Missile Countermeasure Proposed — The plan is to fire nuclear missiles at the North Pole to extinguish methane flares. Characters: Lucas Foster, President Ryan Gordon Location: International crisis response

The Dangerous Descent

Lucas boards a Russian submarine and explains how it can communicate through a deep transatlantic cable despite disabled satellites. The captain orders the vessel below its designed depth, while Russian authorization for the plan is obtained.

Key Events

• Lucas Boards Russian Submarine — A Russian submarine captain reluctantly allows Lucas aboard to explain the plan. Characters: Lucas Foster Location: Russian Navy submarine
• Deep Cable Communication — Lucas explains that the submarine can reach the cable below disabled satellite communications. Characters: Lucas Foster Location: Russian Navy submarine
• Submarine Dives Beyond Limit — The captain orders a dive to 800 meters despite the submarine's 700-meter design limit. Location: Deep ocean
• Russian Authorization Received — After Ryan informs him of the threat, Yuri authorizes the submarine captain to proceed. Characters: President Ryan Gordon, Russian President Yuri Ilyushin Location: International crisis communications

Missiles and Mutual Restraint

A mutinous threat and a U.S.-Russian submarine standoff endanger the launch. Lucas intervenes, negotiates by short-wave radio, and the missiles reach the North Pole, saving Earth before he returns to the United States.

Key Events

• Submarine Standoff — Lucas disarms a mutinous officer; the Russian sub launches missiles and counters U.S. torpedoes. Characters: Lucas Foster Location: Underwater near the U.S. submarine
• Lucas Prevents Further Attack — Lucas contacts the American submarine and persuades it to stand down as the Russians surrender. Characters: Lucas Foster Location: Underwater between the submarines
• Missiles Reach North Pole — The missiles arrive at the North Pole, extinguish the methane flares, and save Earth. Location: North Pole
• Lucas Returns Home — Lucas returns aboard an American naval vessel and reunites with Joanna. Characters: Lucas Foster, Joanna Parks Location: United States

Story Breakdown

• Solar Disasters — Early CME damage establishes the scale of the threat to Earth and space operations.
  • Probe Destroyed — A large CME destroys the SNEL solar probe during data collection.
  • Galileo Lost — A crewed spacecraft is caught in a CME and destroyed.
  • New Zealand Impact — A CME devastates New Zealand, leaving molten rock.
• Methane Revelation — Lucas identifies a hidden atmospheric danger and predicts a catastrophic chain reaction.
  • Atmospheric Finding — Lucas discovers that Earth's atmosphere contains five percent methane.
  • Ignition Warning — He warns that incoming CMEs could ignite the methane and suffocate life.
• Scientific Skepticism — Lucas struggles to persuade colleagues and officials before the danger escalates.
  • Joanna Doubts — Joanna, Lucas's ex-wife and fellow scientist, initially rejects his warning.
  • CME Escalation — Further CMEs strike as the threat becomes immediate.
• North Pole Strategy — The response centers on using nuclear missiles to extinguish methane flares.
  • Missile Proposal — A plan calls for 25-megaton missiles to be fired at the North Pole.
  • Russian Approval — Ryan informs the Russian President, who authorizes the submarine captain to proceed.
• Submarine Mission — Lucas joins a Russian submarine and helps it establish communication under extraordinary conditions.
  • Cable Connection — Lucas explains that the submarine can communicate through a deep transatlantic telegraph cable.
  • Extreme Dive — The captain orders a dive to 800 meters although the submarine is designed for 700.
• Undersea Standoff — Mutiny and confrontation with a U.S. submarine threaten the launch and the wider plan.
  • Mutiny Interrupted — Lucas wrestles a gun away from a lieutenant threatening the captain.
  • Torpedoes Countered — The Russian submarine launches its missiles and uses countermeasures against four U.S. torpedoes.
• Earth Saved — Lucas prevents the submarine confrontation from escalating and the plan succeeds.
  • Radio Negotiation — Lucas persuades the American submarine to stand down as the Russians surrender.
  • Homecoming — The missiles save Earth, and Lucas returns to the United States and reunites with Joanna.

Directed by

Paul Ziller

Key Cast

• Mark Dacascos — Lucas Foster
• Louis Gossett Jr. — President Ryan Gordon
• Joanne Kelly — Joanna Parks
• Kevin Jubinville — Brad Stamp
• Stephen McHattie — Admiral Lawrence