

〉 Isaac joins Natalie Portman in Garland’s adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s sci-fi thriller.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens star Oscar Isaac is officially on board Alex Garland’s ANNIHILATION. Isaac joins Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, and Tessa Thompson in the forthcoming sci-fi thriller. Garland is set to direct his own script, adapted from the first novel of the ‘Southern Reach’ trilogy by science fiction author Jeff VanderMeer.

The story centers around a biologist (Portman) who, in seeking answers to her husband’s tragic disappearance volunteers for a government expedition into an area sealed off as an environmental disaster zone. What she discovers, however, is pristine wilderness, and a mysterious dark force within it.

The film is being produced by Scott Rudin through his Scott Rudin Productions, and Andrew MacDonald and Allon Reich through their DNA Films. Eli Bush will oversee for Rudin, while Alana Mayo and Nathan Samdahl are the studio executives for Paramount. Paramount and Rudin optioned the rights to the trilogy – which is comprised of the books Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance – back in 2013, prior to its publication in 2014.

Annihilation re-teams Isaac with Garland after their wildly successful collaboration in last summer’s Ex Machina. The film, which was Garland’s directorial debut, was well-received with audiences and received rave reviews from critics – drawing particular attention for Garland’s writing and directing, as well as Alicia Vikander’s break-out performance. Ex Machina scored Garland an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and earned a surprise win for Best Visual Effects.

Isaac’s other past credits include the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis and J.C. Chandor’s A Most Violent Year. He’ll next be seen in Bryan Singer’s X-Men: Apocalypse and alongside Christian Bale in The Promise. In 2017, he’ll reprise his role as Poe Dameron in Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Annihilation will begin shooting later this spring in London.

Isaac is repped by UTA and Inspire Entertainment.

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David Olson | Managing Editor