Ex Machina breakout Alicia Vikander is on the verge of inking a deal to topline Wim Wenders’ romantic thriller Submergence, according to Variety.
Starring opposite Victor Frankenstein‘s James McAvoy, the role will have Vikander take the plunge as a deep sea explorer. Based on J.M. Ledgard’s novel of the same name, Submergence orbits around the tragic tale of two lovers, who become separated in the worst of circumstances. As the marine pioneer, Vikander’s character (Danielle Flinders) is exploring the murky depths of the deep blue sea, taking solace in the memories spent with her wayward significant other. That’s McAvoy’s lead, who faces problems of his own upon being captured by jihadist fighters in Somalia.
Separated by geography yet still intimately connected, the stricken pair find themselves confined to dark spaces physically and mentally, and Ledgard’s acclaimed novel explores the ways in which we seek refuge in the comfort of our significant others to get us through the most harrowing of circumstances.
Published in 2013, the author’s eye-catching work drew praise for its intricate and delicate story, though the jury’s still out on whether the dynamic between the wayward duo can be effectively translated onto the big screen. As the Oscar-nominated director behind Every Thing Will Be Fine, the studio has instated a compelling candidate at the helm in Wenders, and there’s no doubting the acting calibre of both McAvoy and Vikander. Color us intrigued.
After roles in Alex Garland’s excellent Ex Machina, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and 2016’s action-packed Bourne 5, Vikander’s profile continues to balloon. No word yet on a production timeline for Wenders’ Submergence, but the Swede can next be seen opposite Eddie Redmayne in the Oscar-tipped drama, The Danish Girl.
