According to Variety, Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina) is in talks to star in Submergence opposite James McAvoy (Victor Frankenstein).

Erin Dignam (The Last Face) will adapt the screenplay based on J.M. Ledgard’s novel of the same name. The romantic thriller centers on two lovers – James More (McAvoy) and Danielle Flinders (Vikander) – who have been separated by thousands of miles from each other and who find escape and solace in memories of their romance. James, a spy, is being held captive by jihadist fighters on the coast of Africa, while Danielle, a biomathematician, prepares for a dive in the Greenland Sea on a submersible. Ledgard’s novel landed on New York Magazine’s 10 Best Books list in 2013.

Wim Wenders, thrice-Oscar nominated for Best Documentary, is slated to direct. The German-American director’s feature film credits include Paris, Texas which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and landed him a BAFTA for Best Director, and the French-German romantic fantasy Wings of Desire, for which he won the best director award at Cannes. His new drama Every Thing Will Be Fine, starring Rachel McAdams (Spotlight) and James Franco (Yosemite), will bow on December 4th.

Swedish-born Vikander has had a busy year, starring as an alluring A.I. in Alex Garland’s Ex Machina opposite Domhnall Gleeson (Brooklyn), as well as appearing in John Wells’ Burnt, Testament of Youth, and Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The rising star can currently be seen in Tom Hooper’s The Danish Girl opposite Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything). The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year, is garnering some serious Oscar awards buzz. She is set to star in Justin Chadwick’s (The Other Boleyn Girl) romantic drama Tulip Fever next year. Another of her upcoming projects is the untitled Bourne sequel helmed by Paul Greengrass (Captain Phillips) and starring Academy Award winner Matt Damon (The Martian), slated for release on July 29th.

Cameron Lamb is producing Submergence through Lila 9th Productions. Paris-based Backup Media (Still Alice) is financing.

Submergence starts filming in March in Europe and Africa.