Gina Rodriguez May Join Natalie Portman in ‘Annihilation’

After a writing a string of successful genre screenplays for other directors, Alex Garland broke out on his own year, making his directorial debut with the exquisite sci-fi Ex Machina. His next directing project is Annihilation, with Garland reportedly eyeing another of this year’s major breakout talents to join Natalie Portman in the new sci-fi film: Jane the Virgin’s Gina Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has made a huge impression in the wonderful teen drama series, and has recently been rumored for a handful of roles in major films, including Star Wars: Episode 8. While it’s been rumored that Gugu Mbatha-Raw landed that role, Variety reports that Rodriguez is in talks to join Natalie Portman in Alex Garland’s Annihilation — a rather excellent consolation prize.

Garland is serving as writer and director on the new film, which centers on a biologist who signs on for a mysterious and dangerous expedition, taking her to a place “where the laws of nature don’t apply.” That’s a fairly enigmatic description, but with Garland behind the camera, there isn’t much we need to know to pique our interest — particularly after he delivered his best work to date with his directorial debut. In addition to Ex Machina, Garland has written screenplays for 28 Days Later, Sunshine and Never Let Me Go.

Rodriguez stars on the critically-acclaimed CW series Jane the Virgin, which is currently in the midst of its second season. She also appears opposite Mark Wahlberg in Peter Berg’s upcoming Deepwater Horizon movie.

Annihilation will head into production early next spring.