Stanley Kubrick at work on "2001: A Space Odyssey." The film, which was originally released on April 3, 1968, follows a group of astronauts on a journey to Jupiter with HAL 9000, a sentient computer. Though it was initially met with mixed reviews, "2001" is now widely considered a modern masterpiece.
Stanley Kubrick at work on "2001: A Space Odyssey." The film, which was originally released on April 3, 1968, follows a group of astronauts on a journey to Jupiter with HAL 9000, a sentient computer. Though it was initially met with mixed reviews, "2001" is now widely considered a modern masterpiece.
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
Keir Dullea, who played Dr. Dave Bowman, in an equipment storage corridor.
Keir Dullea, who played Dr. Dave Bowman, in an equipment storage corridor.
© Dmitri Kessel/Getty Images
Actor Gary Lockwood (Dr. Frank Poole) at the helm.
Actor Gary Lockwood (Dr. Frank Poole) at the helm.
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote the "2001: A Space Odyssey" novel and collaborated with Kubrick on the screenplay, on set of the Aries lunar ferry.
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, who wrote the "2001: A Space Odyssey" novel and collaborated with Kubrick on the screenplay, on set of the Aries lunar ferry.
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
A drawing of a space station docking area by concept artist Roy Carnon. (He would later work on "Superman," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.")
A drawing of a space station docking area by concept artist Roy Carnon. (He would later work on "Superman," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.")
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
A concept illustration showing the Discovery One spaceship's interiors.
A concept illustration showing the Discovery One spaceship's interiors.
© Oliver Rennert/TASCHEN
Keir Dullea in the repair pod.
Keir Dullea in the repair pod.
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
This briefcase computer was designed by the Honeywell company for use in the film.
This briefcase computer was designed by the Honeywell company for use in the film.
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
The filming of one of the film's final scenes.
The filming of one of the film's final scenes.
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
Kubrick giving instructions on set.
Kubrick giving instructions on set.
© Stanley Kubrick Archives/TASCHEN
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.taschen.com%2Fpages%2Fen%2Fcatalogue%2Ffilm_music%2Fall%2F44602%2Ffacts.the_making_of_stanley_kubricks_2001_a_space_odyssey.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">"The Making of Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey,"</a> published by Taschen, is out now.
"The Making of Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey," published by Taschen, is out now.
Courtesy Taschen
Behind the scenes photos '2001: A Space Odyssey'

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August 2015.

CNN  — 

Before “Interstellar” and “Avatar,” Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 masterpiece “2001: A Space Odyssey” explored the possibilities of interplanetary travel and helped define and validate science fiction as a serious film genre.

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“The Making of Stanley Kubrick’s ’2001: A Space Odyssey,” a coffee table book from Taschen, gives film buffs a behind-the-scenes look at the seminal film through on-set photos, concept art and photos of the director at work.

Check out the gallery above for some of the highlights.