Making your first feature film is no easy task. Everything from the script to casting requires careful attention to detail, and meanwhile, you’re looking to prove to yourself and others that you have what it takes to get the job done. However, if your name is Alex Garland, things are made slightly easier. The screenwriter behind “28 Days Later…,” “Never Let Me Go” and “Dredd” has a CV that speaks for itself, and it’s no surprise that he’s getting some nice talent for his debut directorial effort “Ex Machina.”
The Wrap reports that Oscar Isaac (“Drive,” “Inside Llewyn Davis“) and Domhnall Gleeson (“Anna Karenina,” “About Time“) are gearing up to board the movie. Penned by Garland as well, the $15 million “Ex Machina” will tell the story of a billionaire programmer (Isaac) who picks a young employee (Domhnall) to help him test out an AI-driven, female robot on his estate. Intriguingly, the role of the female cyborg has some interesting names circling including Felicity Jones (“Like Crazy,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and Alicia Vikander (“A Royal Affair“).
So, this is looking like a pretty fascinating little sci-fi character piece/thriller with some great, rising talent landing the leads. We’re always up for a good genre treat and this is seems quite promising. Production is aiming to start late summer or early fall.