Alex Garland

The director of ‘Ex Machina’ returns with a new sci-fi film starring Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac. Watch the trailer now.

Earlier this week, Paramount raised eyebrows when it was revealed that the studio had cut a deal with Netflix for distribution rights to Annihilation — the new sci-fi film from Ex Machina filmmaker Alex Garland. The project, which stars Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac, will debut on the streaming service 17 days after it hits theaters. The implication of such a deal is that Annihilation might not be very good, or at the very least, the studio doesn’t have much faith in it. But to anyone familiar with Garland’s work, that seems totally bananas.

The director of ‘Ex Machina’ brings you a new alien horror film starring Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac.

There are plenty of reasons to be excited for Annihilation, the upcoming adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s 2014 novel. First off, it’s Alex Garland‘s latest project since Ex Machina. Second, the book is great, full of eerie, enchanting horrors...

If you’re not excited for Annihilation, you should be. Jeff VanderMeer’s book is one of those novels you don’t hear much about until someone thrusts it into your hands, and then suddenly everyone seems to be talking about it. It’s surreal, baffling, and beautiful, and Alex Garland’s (Ex Machina) film adaptation has finally, finally gotten an official release date.

Annihilation was one of our most anticipated films of 2017 — I say “was” because despite the overwhelmingly positive reactions to the sneak peek at CinemaCon, Paramount pushed the release back to 2018. The new film from Ex Machina director Alex Garland stars Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and has us pumped for so many reasons (like, all of the names just mentioned); if you’ve read the deeply unnerving sci-fi novel on which it’s based, then you’re probably twice as eager to see Garland’s adaptation. At least one person has already seen it: Annihilation author Jeff VanderMeer, and his reaction really isn’t making the wait for 2018 any easier.

Even though he had written scripts for great sci-fi films like Never Let Me Go and Sunshine, it wasn’t until last year that Alex Garland finally got the attention he deserves with the release of his directorial debut, Ex Machina. Garland has been in production on his follow-up, Annihilation, another sci-fi thriller that looks like it will be every bit as breathtaking as his previous effort — if these set photos are any indication.

What sounds better than a new movie from ‘Ex Machina’ filmmaker Alex Garland? How about a sci-fi movie about four women played by Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson (‘Creed’), Gina Rodriguez (‘Jane the Virgin’) and Jennifer Jason Leigh? Now let me raise you with one more addition: Oscar Isaac. If that news doesn’t have you doing the Oscar Isaac ‘Ex Machina’ dance, nothing will.

Alex Garland’s follow-up to Ex Machina just keeps getting better and better with each new casting addition. The female-centric cast of Annihilation already includes Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez and Tessa Thompson, all on board for Garland’s next sci-fi project. And it appears they may have some very cool new company, as The Hateful Eight star Jennifer Jason Leigh is in talks to join them.

Ex Machina writer / director Alex Garland seems to be going for the one-two punch (sorry) with Annihilation, his next sci-fi project which already boasts Natalie Portman and Jane the Virgin's Gina Rodriguez in leading roles. And as if we couldn't get any more excited for Garland's next film, the director is currently eyeing Creed star Tessa Thompson, who was so great in Ryan Coogler's Rocky sequel that she could headline her own spinoff (or at least make a full album, in character).