Sam Worthington and Ruth Wilson are set to star in The Titan, an elevated sci-fi feature produced by Brian Kavanaugh-Jones’ Automatik, Ben Pugh and Rory Aitken’s 42 and Arash Amel. Lennart Ruff directs the project, based on a original story by Amel (Grace Of Monaco). Max Hurwitz (Hell On Wheels) has written the screenplay. Set in a not too distant future, the story tracks the journey of a military family who are relocated in order to take part in a ground-breaking experiment of man’s genetic evolution into space.

The film starts shooting January 18 in Europe. Voltage Pictures will launch international sales at Toronto with CAA handling domestic sales. Leon Clarance and Motion Picture Capital will produce and fully finance. Sofia Boutella will also star.

Worthington has just wrapped Lionsgate’s The Shack. The Avatar actor, who returns for those Jim Cameron-directed sequels, has Working Title’s Venice Film Festival opener Everest coming out shortly. He also stars in Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge. Golden Globe winner Wilson (The Affair) can next be seen in Season 2 of the hit drama. She was recently nominated for a Tony Award for her role in Constellations.

“The Titan is, at its core, a love story that is set in the pioneering edge of space exploration, a world of fear and wonder,” says Arash. “In Brian and Ben, I’ve been lucky enough to find smart, dedicated producing partners to embark on this adventure with, and we now find ourselves surrounded by a highly talented group of artists led by Ruth Wilson and Sam Worthington, under the direction of the incredible Lennart Ruff. I’m very excited that this team will be bringing this passion project to the screen, and to continue the relationship with Automatik, 42, and Motion Picture Capital.”

The project has the feel of a old friends’ reunion. Motion Picture Capital is currently working with Automatik on the Zach Whedon-directed Come And Find Me, starring Aaron Paul. Deadline broke that story.

42 is on a roll. The London-based production-management powerhouse is enjoying a Midas touch currently, with five films currently completed or in post-production: Nicholas Hoult-starrer Collide, formerly known as Autobahn; Monsters: Dark Continent, which Radius-TWC is handling domestically; The Other Side Of The Door, which 20th Century Fox is releasing; Revolt, which Voltage is selling; and The Autopsy oO Jane Doe, which IM Global is selling.

Amel is repped by CAA, Grandview and Myman Greenspan. Hurwitz is repped by CAA, Grandview and Jackoway Tyerman. Ruff is repped by CAA, Gotham Group and Lichter, Grossman. Worthington is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and Hansen, Jacobson. Wilson is repped by CAA, Troika and Untitled Entertainment. Boutella is repped by CAA, 42 and Felker, Toczek.