So, last month when The Wrap dropped some details on the plot of Wally Pfister's secretive, Christopher Nolan-produced "Transcendence," it turned out some of it was a bit off. But now they've actually grabbed a script and talked so producers, so this should be legit. And lest you were concerned that this might just be another ordinary day at the multiplex sci-fi ballpark, you would be mistaken.
What we know so far is that the film will star Johnny Depp, features three main leads (all scientists), and also include a character “who creates a computer that develops a malevolent awareness." The trade now reports that "the plot involves a scientist whose brain gets uploaded into a supercomputer with the aim of creating the world’s first machine that can think for itself," with producer Andrew Kosove confirming that fact. Depp will be playing Will, who is married to fellow scientist Evelyn, with Max rounding out the trio. The latter two need to be cast, but not for lack of trying.
Ewan McGregor reportedly turned it down, Tom Hardy is unavailable due to scheduling, as is Kate Winslet (they are definitely aiming for big names). No word on cinematographer Pfister's other Batman buddy Christian Bale, who it was reported he wanted for his directorial debut, but it would seem anyone from Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is fair game…at least for the rumor mill. So lot's more to come, but do you want to know even more? Well The Wrap has a pretty detailed plot summary so fair warning there will be spoilers ahead. Read on:
According to the summary, a group of anti-technology terrorists assassinate Will, Evelyn uploads his brain into a prototype supercomputer. Although she at first finds the experiment seems to have gone wrong, before too long Evelyn finds Will responding in computer form.
She goes on to connect Will to the Internet so he can help make further scientific breakthroughs. Will asks Evelyn to connect a microphone and a camera up to the computer so he can see and speak to her as well.
Will creates a backup of himself to every computer in the world, and furthers his work through accessing online indexes. (Kosove told TheWrap this plot point is no longer in the script.) When the anti-technology organization finds out, they try to steal the supercomputer and destroy it, but Will no longer needs the computer to survive.
Thoughts, opinions? Let us know. Production is slated to begin in February, with the movie already planned for an IMAX release.