Annihilation (film)

Annihilation is an upcoming American science fiction drama film directed and written by Alex Garland based on the book of the same name by Jeff VanderMeer.

A biologist's (Natalie Portman) husband disappears. She thus puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist (Jennifer Jason Leigh), and a surveyor.

On March 26, 2013, it was announced that Paramount Pictures and Scott Rudin Productions acquired the film's right to the first novel Annihilation in the Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach Trilogy. The film would be produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush. On October 31, 2014, Paramount hired Ex Machina's writer-director Alex Garland to adapt and direct the film, about a biologist trying to discover answers about the disappearance of her husband in an environmental disaster.

On May 7, 2015, Variety reported that Natalie Portman was in early talks to join the sci-fi film, while the studio was keeping an eye on Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton to add to the cast, but their negotiations would begin right after Portman's casting finalization.

In November Portman's casting was finalized and it was also announced that Gina Rodriguez would also be joining the cast. On January 4, 2016, the casting of Tessa Thompson was announced.Jennifer Jason Leigh joined the cast on February 10, 2016.Oscar Isaac joined the cast in March 2016.