Halle Berry, Tom Hanks bring epic 'Cloud Atlas' to LA

• The film was co-directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski, who previously helmed the 'Matrix' trilogy
• Berry and Hanks each play six characters in the epic film, which spans 500 years
• "You have to say yes to something like this," says Berry

LOS ANGELES — Cloud Atlas may span 500 years, but it took a trip to present-day on Wednesday night.

Stars including Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Jim Broadbent and Jim Sturgess premiered the epic film (based on the best-selling novel by David Mitchell) at Grauman's Chinese theater.

Budgeted at an estimated $100 million dollars, the ambitious film emphasizes how relationships continue over hundreds of years, starting in 1849 and flinging forward to the 24th century. Hanks and Berry meet again and again in new forms, and were challenged to each play six different characters. Both are often unrecognizable beneath intricately applied makeup and prosthetics.

"You have to say yes to something like this," said Berry on the red carpet, in a futuristic silver Dolce and Gabbana dress. She told reporters she hoped audiences "walk away having a dialogue about it. And really realizing the ramifications of all of our actions and all of the choices that we make, and that they do reverberate for generations and generations. Acts of kindness and also acts of cruelty. It really matters."

"It's such a brave idea," said Broadbent. "The challenge is to make people aware of it, really...it's a new experience."

Hanks avoided most of the press line, but walked the carpet with his wife, Rita Wilson. The weather was blustery - by L.A. standards - and Sarandon,

too, headed quickly inside. But it was a treat to see Keanu Reeves, who rarely steps out for public events. (He came in support of directors Andy and Lana Wachowski, who directed him in the Matrix trilogy).

The film has a bit of a Where's Waldo effect on audiences, who may squint to recognize some of their favorite stars over the course of the (three hour-long!) film.

The most difficult character for Sturgess, who also played six characters? "They all came with their own complications," he said. "Obviously I was really confused and intrigued when they asked me to play a Korean man. I wanted to understand what the reasons were behind it." After two hours of makeup, Sturgess said "it was a trip" to see a completely different man staring back at him in the mirror.ong!) film. Sturgess said his mother asked for a cheat sheet. "She keeps telling me, 'Just tell me which characters you're playing so I'm not thinking everybody's you.' "

Berry, who brought fiance Olivier Martinez as her date, told reporters the film has stayed with her. "I think the theme of it is something I think is really poignant. I think it's something that we've all thought about it and this gives us a forum to talk about it."