Just over a year ago,Nina Dobrevannounced she would be leaving her hit seriesThe Vampire Diariesto pursue more work on the big screen. Earlier this year, she landed a role inXXX: The Return of Xander CagealongsideVin Diesel, and now the actress is eyeing her follow-up to that project. Today we have a new report that the actress is in talks to join Sony Pictures' remake of the 1990 sci-fi classicFlatliners.
Ellen PageandDiego Lunaare already on board to star, although nothing is known about the characters they’re playing.Deadlinereveals thatNina Dobrevis portraying Marlo, an overachieving student who is at the top of her class. The original film followed a group of medical students and close friends who conduct experiments with near death experiences. Each one of them has their heart stopped before being revived instantly, which causes them to experience nightmarish visions of their childhood which reflect either sins they have committed, or sins committed against them. Their unorthodox extracurricular studies have very dark consequences, as their supernatural visions begin to intensify.
The original movie starredKiefer Sutherland,Julia Roberts,Kevin Bacon,William Baldwin,Oliver PlattandKimberly Scott, which was directed byJoel Schumacherfrom a script byPeter Filardi. The movie took in $61 million back in 1990, which, when adjusted for inflation, equates to a $126 million movie today. It isn’t known if any of the original cast members will return in different roles for theFlatliners remake, but our report from March revealed that production will begin sometime this summer.
Niels Arden Oplev, who directed the original Swedish version ofThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is directing from a script byBen Ripley(Source Code). The writer actually started his career by writing sequels to another 90s sci-fi classic, theSpeciesfollow-upsSpecies IIIandSpecies: The Awakening.Michael Douglas, who produced the originalSpecies, is back to produce the remake, alongsideLaurence Mark.
Aside from her role as Elena onThe Vampire Diaries,Nina Dobrevhas also starred inThe Roommate,The Perks of Being a Wallflower,Let’s Be CopsandThe Final Girls. She recently wrapped production onCrash Pad, alongsideDomhnall Gleeson, and she is also attached to star inArrivalswithMaisie WilliamsandAsa Butterfield. It isn’t known how many primary characters are left to be cast inFlatliners, so stay tuned for more casting updates.
