Steven Spielberg chooses Chris Hemsworth for ‘Robocalypse’

Never a director that sticks to a particular genre, Steven Spielberg is leaping right into a big sci-fi action movie after he’s done with his biopic ‘Lincoln’ with Daniel Day Lewis. It’s based on a novel by Daniel H. Wilson and the script is written by Drew Goddard (Cabin in the Woods), and now the director has a liking for an actor to play the lead.

Deadline reports that Spielberg wants Chris Hemsworth (Thor) to star in the film, and has been discussing this in meetings even though no offer has been out yet. For the film, this is what Spielberg had described it as:

“It’s a movie about a global war between man and machine. I had a great time creating the future on “Minority Report”, and it’s a future that is coming true faster than any of us thought it would. “Robopocalypse” takes place in 15 or 20 years, so it’ll be another future we can relate to. It’s about the consequences of creating technologies which make our lives easier, and what happens when that technology becomes smarter than we are. It’s not the newest theme, it’s been done throughout science fiction, but it’s a theme that becomes more relevant every year.”

‘Minority Report’ is one of my favorite Spielberg films, so that’s exciting to hear. Here’s the official book synopsis for more info:

“In the not-too-distant future, robots have made our lives a lot easier: they help clean our kitchens, drive our cars, and fight our wars–until they are turned into efficient murderers by a sentient artificial intelligence buried miles below the surface of Alaska. Robopocalypse is a fast-paced sci-fi thriller that makes a strong case that mindless fun can also be wildly inventive. The war is told as an oral history, assembled from interviews, security camera footage, and first- and secondhand testimonies, similar to Max Brooks’ zombie epic World War Z. The book isn’t shy about admitting to its influences, but author Daniel H. Wilson certainly owes more to Terminator than he does to Asimov. Robopocalypse may not be the most unique tale about the war between man and machine, but it’s certainly one of the most fun.”

It’s great to see that Hemsworth is actually a favorite for big directors now, and action movies are now his forte. Whether he will get time to shoot this among his packed Marvel schedule remains to be seen.

The film is set for an April 2014 release.