From MovieWeb – Hayden Christensen is on board for the lead role in director David R. Ellis’ upcoming thriller The Genesis Code, based on the novel by the same name written by John Case. The film’s screenplay is written by Kevin Bernhardt. Myriad Pictures, who will co-produce the film, owns all rights worldwide, will be selling the film at the upcoming Marche du Film in Cannes.
The producers are Tove Christensen, Myriad’s CEO and President Kirk D’Amico, Michael Mailer and Alvaro Longoria.
The story follows a former national security expert, played by Christensen, who, while investigating the murder of his only sister and her young son, discovers that a religious sect called The Shadow of the Cross may be involved. With the help of his sister’s friend Ana, they follow the clues to a clinic in the mountains of Italy, where a terrifying secret experiment has been conducted – successfully. The results are so threatening to the foundation of the Church that they will do anything to keep it from being revealed.
“We are very pleased to have Hayden on board for this project,” said D’Amico. “His passion for the character of Joe Lassiter and the world he inhabits – of religion, politics and secret operatives – was apparent to all of us involved in the project. It is this kind of commitment that we know will lead to a compelling performance.”
Hayden Christensen will next be seen starring in John Luessenhop’s Takers opposite Matt Dillon and Zoe Saldana and Brad Anderson’s Vanishing on 7th Street opposite Thandie Newton and John Leguizamo. Hayden is involved with the (RED) campaign and recently shot a PSA for them that also features Bono, Javier Bardem, Don Cheadle, Penélope Cruz, Claire Danes, Hugh Jackman, Julianne Moore, Gabourey Sidibe, Gwen Stefani, The Jonas Brothers, among others.
Director David R. Ellis started his career as a stuntman and moved into directing, where he served as 2nd unit director on Harrison Ford’s Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. His directing credits include Final Destination 2, Cellular, starring Kim Basinger and Jessica Biel, Asylum, with Sarah Roemer, Snakes on a Plane with Samuel L. Jackson and The Final Destination in 3-D, which occupied the number one spot at the box office when it was released last year.
Kevin Bernhardt wrote the screenplay to the crime-drama The Immortals starring Eric Roberts and Joe Pantoliano and the Tom Berenger thriller Fear of Flying. He wrote the adventure El Americano which will be directed by Amy Redford and Elephant White, which will star Kevin Bacon. He also wrote the screenplay for Peaceful Warrior.
The Genesis Code comes to theaters in 2011 and stars Hayden Christensen. The film is directed by David R. Ellis.
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