AFM: Keanu Reeves to Star in Sci-Fi Film 'Replicas'

The 'John Wick' actor will play a neuroscientist in the Tanya Wexler-helmed thriller

Keanu Reeves has signed on to star in Replicas for Lotus Entertainment and Di Bonaventura Pictures.

Directed by Tanya Wexler (Hysteria) from a screenplay by Chad St. John, the sci-fi thriller centers on a daring neuroscientist (Reeves) who, after a car accident kills his family, will stop at nothing to bring them back, even if it means pitting himself against a government-controlled laboratory, a police task force and the physical laws of science.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura (GI Joe, Transformers) is producing alongside Stephen Hamel, Reeves and Fundamental Films. Hamel and Reeves, who are partners in Company Films, developed the script based on Hamel’s treatment.

Production is scheduled to begin in spring 2015.

Lotus will introduce the film to foreign buyers beginning at the upcoming American Film Market. CAA is handling domestic rights.

"We loved the notion of taking the 'how far will a man go to save his family' story hook and then adding a high concept sci-fi twist," Lotus Entertainment's Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel said. "Keanu has obviously had a lot of success in the sci-fi genre, and we are excited to have him anchoring a story, which we believe will have great appeal to audiences across the globe."

Added ??di Bonaventura: "From my experience working with Keanu on The Matrix franchise through our collaboration on Constantine, I have always been impressed by (his) ability to bring a genuine level of humanity to the sci-fi genre through his performance. I am looking forward to collaborating with Keanu once again on this unique take on what lengths a person will go to alter the past, and the implications of those actions."

No stranger to sci-fi action films, Reeves is best known for his role as Neo in The Matrix trilogy. He stars in the action film John Wick, which opened Oct. 26 with a better-than-expected $14 million haul in its first weekend, giving his star power a boost.

Lotus' upcoming film slate includes the Halle Berry starrer Kidnap and Tom Tykwer's A Hologram for the King, starring Tom Hanks.

Reeves is repped by CAA.

Email: Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com

Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27

