The filmmakers behind faux documentry Apollo 18 have been playing cat-and-mouse games with fans since December, when the movie’s website launched a stealthy array of embedded clues.
In the latest twist in the found-footage conspiracy, Wired.com has learned the secret password that cracks open an Easter egg for cryptogram obsessives and sci-fi fans: lunokhod.
The word, which means moonwalker in Russian, can be used to access the document pictured above on the Cosmonauts section of the Apollo 18 site. It’s one of several documents that can be examined by clicking on listed items and typing in the password.
The paperwork features official NASA styling and includes information about Westinghouse fiber optic cameras — surveillance cameras that were actually used during U.S. space missions. The Apollo 18 trailer, viewable below, purports to excerpt footage from a secret 1970 space mission. It racked up millions of views online when it was released last month.
Win a Nintendo Wii
To add a tangible twist to all this viral skullduggery, Wired.com is giving away a free Nintendo Wii console to one Underwire reader. To qualify for the Apollo 18 contest, users must follow both @wired and @apollo18movie on Twitter. Then, entrants must retweet Wired.com’s contest message, which can be located by searching the @wired Twitter feed.
A randomly selected winner will be notified by Twitter direct message from @apollo18movie. Deadline to enter is 12:01 a.m. Pacific on March 10, 2011.
Apollo 18 opens April 22.
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