Joe and Anthony Russo are set to direct a big-screen adaptation of Simon Stålenhag's graphic novel The Electric State, and Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things, Enola Holmes) has signed on to star.
Universal Pictures recently acquired the rights to the highly sought-after property, which was originally being developed for Andy Muschietti to direct back in 2017. When he moved on to helm The Flash movie for Warner Bros., the Russos got the gig.
The Electric State is set in an alternative future and focuses on a teenage girl (Brown) who realizes that a strange robot who comes to her has actually been sent by her missing brother. "She and the robot set out to find the brother in an imaginative world of humans mixing with all manner of robots, uncovering a grand conspiracy in the process."
The Avengers: Endgame duo will also produce via their AGBO banner, while frequent collaborators Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely will pen the script.
“We’re thrilled to have this deal with Universal who has committed to a theatrical release of Electric State,” said the Russos. “This is incredible news for us as filmmakers, and for audiences around the world who want an opportunity to experience films in theaters again. This is also a positive sign that, as vaccines become available, the theatrical market is returning.”
“This is a very human story about a teenage girl with all the powers of a teenage girl and nothing more,” added Markus. “Another thing we are really proud of when it comes to this story is all the major characters, barring one supporting character, are women which is super exciting to be involved in.”
The brothers will soon roll cameras on their next project, The Gray Man, so production on The Electric State likely won't get underway until late 2021 or the early 2022.
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.