Robert Rodriguez is in a sci-fi thriller mood these days. Fresh off of bringing the sci-fi anime adaptation ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL to life with James Cameron, Rodriguez moved on to directing a sci-fi thriller VR series called The Limit, and now he's setting up sci-fi thriller feature at Studio 8.
Rodriguez is set to direct and produce the film, which is going by the title HYPNOTIC. He also wrote the initial draft of the script. Screenwriter Max Borenstein, whose credits include the MonsterVerse films GODZILLA, KONG: SKULL ISLAND, and the upcoming GODZILLA: KING OF MONSTERS, has been brought on to do a rewrite.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but HYPNOTIC is said to be
a grounded cop thriller with sci-fi elements.
Studio8 is thinking this might be the start of a franchise. I'm thinking I'd like to know more about it. I do like that the description calls it "grounded", because Rodriguez has a tendency to go too far over-the-top for my taste. Example: MACHETE KILLS. I'd like to see him to do something like DESPERADO (pictured above) again.
We'll keep you updated on HYPNOTIC as more is revealed.