Jennifer Lawrence to Lead Zach Cregger's Sci-Fi Thriller 'The Flood' in 2028

Key points

• Jennifer Lawrence will star in 'The Flood,' a sci-fi thriller directed by Zach Cregger.
• The film is scheduled for release on August 11, 2028, under New Line Cinema.
• Cregger will write, direct, and produce the film based on his original idea.
• Amblin Entertainment is producing the film alongside Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo Entertainment.
• Cregger cited 'Ad Astra' and '2001: A Space Odyssey' as inspirations for the project.
• The film follows Cregger's success with 'Weapons' and 'Resident Evil,' both of which were major box office hits.

Background

This announcement follows Zach Cregger's recent success with 'Resident Evil,' which has crossed the $200 million mark at the global box office, and 'Weapons,' which grossed $270 million worldwide. Jennifer Lawrence has been active in recent years with films like 'Die My Love' and 'No Hard Feelings,' and is set to star in Martin Scorsese's 'What Happens at Night.' The project marks a continuation of Cregger's collaboration with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, following his work on 'Weapons.'

How outlets are covering it

Gizmodo emphasizes the sci-fi nature of the film and Cregger's eagerness to work with Steven Spielberg, noting that the idea for 'The Flood' came to him in a rush. Variety highlights the prestige of Lawrence's involvement and the strong box office performance of Cregger's previous works, particularly 'Weapons.' Empire focuses on Cregger's evolution from horror to sci-fi, citing '2001: A Space Odyssey' as a key influence. Deadline provides the official casting announcement and notes the strong box office performance of 'Resident Evil' as a backdrop for the announcement. All sources agree on the release date and the involvement of Amblin Entertainment and Vertigo Entertainment.

Why it matters

The announcement signals a significant shift for Zach Cregger, who has been successful in the horror genre, into science fiction. It also highlights Jennifer Lawrence's continued relevance in the film industry, as she takes on a new project after a series of recent releases. The collaboration between Cregger and Lawrence, following their work on 'Weapons,' suggests a potential for a new genre-defining film. The involvement of Amblin Entertainment, known for its work with Steven Spielberg, adds to the anticipation for the project.

What to watch

The next steps for 'The Flood' will likely involve the announcement of additional cast members and the release of more plot details. The film is set for release on August 11, 2028, and the production team will likely begin pre-production in the coming months. The success of 'Resident Evil' and 'Weapons' suggests that 'The Flood' has the potential to be a major box office hit, and the involvement of Jennifer Lawrence and Amblin Entertainment adds to the anticipation for the project.