Paramount’s moving forward on its thriller “Annihilation,” tapping “Ex Machina” writer-director Alex Garland to adapt the script and direct the project.

The studio and Scott Rudin acquired movie rights to Jeff VanderMeer’s “The Southern Reach” trilogy last year. The first book, “Annihilation,” was published in March. It was followed by “Authority” in May and “Acceptance” in September.

Rudin and Eli Bush are producing “Annihilation,” which centers on a biologist seeking answers about her husband’s disappearance in an enivironmental disaster areas sealed off by the government for the last 30 years.

Garland made his directorial debut on “Ex Machina,” which stars Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander and has Rudin and Bush exec producing. A24 acquired U.S. rights to the film on Oct. 29 and set an April 10 release.

Garland wrote the screenplay for “Ex Machina.” His writing credits also include “28 Days Later,” “Dredd” and “Sunshine.”