Because he can't leave it too long between projects, Ben Wheatley is splitting his time between promoting his latest, Free Fire, and finding a cast for his next movie, Freakshift. Alicia Vikander is in talks to join the monster-hunting thriller.
Wheatley co-wrote Freakshift with wife and regular writing partner Amy Jump. It's been bubbling away in development since at least 2012 and was at one point set to be his next film before High-Rise and now Free Fire took its place.
The film's high concept involves a world where creatures rise up at night and terrorise decent citizens. That leads to the creation of the Freakshift themselves, a government-organised band of thrill-seeking hunters who are happy to go out a-killing of a night "for duty, sport and money." Wheatley has described it as Hill Street Blues vs. monsters. We doubt anyone will be careful out there.
If she does sign on, Vikander would play one of the lead roles, and Wheatley is aiming for an August start date, leaving time for the actress to finish up work on the new Tomb Raider.
If you're craving your next hit of cinematic Wheatley, Free Fire arrives in the UK on 31 March and the US on 21 April.
Brie Larson Stars In The First Trailer For Ben Wheatley's Free Fire