The list of formidable actors with a role in a Netflix original film to their name just keeps growing. The streamer has nabbed global rights to The Discovery, an upcoming sci-fi flick with a cast that includes acclaimed actors Robert Redford, Jason Segel, and Rooney Mara, reports Deadline.
The indie film centers on a world where the existence of an afterlife has been scientifically proven and large numbers of people have committed suicide in order to get there. Although plot details are still fairly scarce at this point, Segel’s character is the son of the man (Redford) behind the scientific breakthrough. Meanwhile, Rooney, playing a woman with a sad past, is the love interest of Segel’s character.
The Discovery is written by Charlie McDowell and Justin Lader, who previously teamed up on The One I Love. The film also marked McDowell’s feature-length directorial debut, and he returned to the director’s chair for The Discovery. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos seemed impressed with McDowell’s work as he recently highlighted the uniqueness of the movie’s plot.
“To describe the story as original doesn’t begin to capture the world that Charlie has created that will envelop you,” said Sarandos, according to Deadline. “Our global viewers are going to love this film.”
In addition to Redford, Segel, and Mara, the cast includes still more talented actors. Jesse Plemons (FX’s Fargo), Riley Keough (Starz’s The Girlfriend Experience), and Ron Canada (The Strain) all appear as well. The film is produced by Alex Orlovsky of Verisimilitude and James D. Stern of Endgame Entertainment. Mike Goodridge, Dimitra Tsingou, Julie Goldstein, and Lucas Smith serve as executive producers.
The Discovery is set to arrive on Netflix and get a U.S. theatrical run in 2017.
