Gina Rodriguez faces Annihilation with Natalie Portman

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Gina Rodriguez, who plays the eponymous character on the popular CW comedy Jane the Virgin, is planning to switch genres during her next hiatus from filming on that series. She has entered talks to join Natalie Portman in director Alex Garland's sci-fi thriller ANNIHILATION.

Scripted by Garland and based on a novel by Jeff VanderMeer, ANNIHILATION tells the story of 

a biologist who, in seeking answers to her husband’s tragic disappearance, volunteers for an expedition into an area sealed off by the government for the last 30 years as an environmental disaster zone. A secret agency known as the Southern Reach has sent in 11 expeditions over those years to discover the truth about Area X, and those attempts were failures. The tale is narrated by the biologist attached to the mission. She and her team find a pristine wilderness, but they also notice quickly that the rules of nature and evolution seem to work a little differently. And the creature they find is dangerous.

Garland's previous screenwriting credits include 28 DAYS LATER, SUNSHINE, and DREDD. ANNIHILATION is his second directorial effort, following this year's EX MACHINA.

With an interesting concept in the hands of a talented writer/director who is off to a great start in assembling his cast, ANNIHILATION definitely seems like one to look forward to.