Emile Hirsch (Speed Racer) is planning to get attacked by aliens, as Variety reports he’s joined the cast of the Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted)produced The Darkest Hour. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s a vaguely intriguing sounding film, which sees a group of American kids trying to survive in Russia after aliens invade, and is described as being the vein of ’28 Days Later’.
While several high profile movies have used Russia as a shooting location in recent years, I can’t remember any others where it’s been blown up by aliens. However Bekmambetov has a studio and effects company in the country, which should allow them to stretch their $40 million budget a long way. Chris Gorak, who also knows about doing a lot with very little due to his work on Right At Your Door, will direct, and shooting is due to start in June.
There’s no news on what role Hirsch will play, other than that presumably he’ll be one of the American tourists, opposite the recently announced Olivia Thirlby.