Hollywood’s idea of science fiction typically involves aliens and explosions, but the film industry seems to quietly be endorsing a subtler side of the genre. The latest sci-fi flick set to plumb the depths of human nature’s despair is The Discovery, a film that, it’s just been announced, will star Rooney Mara, Jason Segel, and Robert Redford.
The Discovery isn’t a new name. It was initially announced as a Rooney Mara/Nicholas Hoult love story, but Hoult has since dropped out, replaced by Segel. Redford was added, too.
The story of the film seems secondary to the setting, which is a world in which the afterlife has been scientifically proven to exist. Segel plays the son of the man who discovered this truth, and falls in love with Mara’s character, who, of course, has a tragic past.
Why get excited for this film, though? Well, it’s directed by Charlie McDowell, who also directed (and co-wrote with Justin Lader, who also co-wrote The Discovery) last year’s indie The One I Love, starring Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass. That was a terrific film that was spiked with sci-fi flavor in a way that allowed for a more potent examination of the perils of stubborn love and obsession.
The Discovery was set to begin filming in January, so you can expect production to begin as soon as possible now that this new cast has been confirmed.