Filmmaker Steven Spielberg returns to the sci-fi genre with Disclosure Day, an ambitious new thriller that explores what might happen if humanity discovered that evidence of non-human intelligence has been hidden for decades. For Colman Domingo, stepping into this world of film was both exciting and challenging. The Oscar-nominated actor, who plays Hugo, a man grappling with loyalty, friendship and a growing moral crisis, feels overwhelmed as he recalls his first day of filming.
Coleman told Hindustan Times, “I felt like I was being shot out of a cannon to start with that material.” “I was scared of it for a moment, but it’s great to be a little scared on your first day.”
Building a friendship broken by doubt
His first day on set included an important scene opposite Colin Firth, who plays Scanlon, a former friend and colleague who is struggling with a deep crisis of faith. To find the emotional rhythm of the relationship, Coleman and Colin immediately began working through the scene together.
“I grabbed Colin, who is a gem of an actor, and we just started running the scene, going back and forth together, and just trying to find a rhythm and rhythm that spoke to the shared history of two people who were once close friends and colleagues, but who are now at odds with each other because of a crisis of trust in their work,” he explains.
What interested him most was that Hugo never considered friendship irreplaceable. There is compassion even in struggle. He says, “My character believes they’re still friends, so to a degree Hugo is trying to save his friend by appealing to his better angels.” “Trying to hold Hugo Scanlon accountable for his soul.”
Personal gesture inspired by her husband
The most poignant aspect of Coleman’s performance came from a place far from the film set. For an important scene, which has been kept a secret, the actor chose a simple yet meaningful choice. “I did something instinctually during this scene: I put my hands up, so my palms were open,” he revealed.
This gesture comes from watching her husband Raul Domingo over the years. She added, “That was something I internalized from Raul, one of the things I noticed about him when we first met was that he was sitting with his hands open. That told me he was a very open person – open to whatever the big moments of life bring you.”
As he continued to shape Hugo, he realized that the same openness was in the character. “I realized this was an important quality for Hugo to have, so I decided he would sit in a very specific way, with open arms,” he explains.
This moment developed further through conversations with Spielberg. Coleman recalls, “I initially thought it would be a more emotional scene for Hugo, but Steven and I started to see that it was more of a zen moment for Hugo.” “I just loved how it all came together to create something that was simple, elegant and quite beautiful.”
a sci-fi thriller
Universal Pictures is set to bring Disclosure Day, a new original film produced and directed by filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Emily Blunt stars alongside Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson and Colman Domingo.
The film is based on a story conceived by Spielberg, with a screenplay by longtime collaborator David Koepp. The film is produced by Christy Macosko Krieger with Spielberg under the Amblin Entertainment banner. Executive producers include Adam Somner and Chris Brigham.
It will hit theaters on June 12, 2026.