Following Alicia Vikander’s exit, Emma Watson has signed on to star in the upcoming cyber thriller The Circle, helmed by James Ponsoldt. The movie features a young woman who goes to work for an Internet monopoly called the Circle and discovers that technology’s perks have their limits.
The movie was adapted from Dave Eggers’ novel of the same name. In the book and movie, the Circle links users’ social media, email, and other financial and personal information onto one operating system, sweeping in a new age of connection on the Internet. At her new job, Watson’s character meets a mysterious older man, played by Tom Hanks. As the movie progresses, it becomes more of a social commentary on how users’ personal details are used and monetized, potentially ending privacy forever.
James Ponsoldt also wrote the adaptation and will produce alongside Gary Goetzman and Anthony Bregman. Tom Hanks will produce as well as star.
Emma Watson will start on The Circle when she’s wrapped Disney’s upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast. She’s also finishing up two other projects, Regression and Colonia. Tom Hanks is taking on a lot more producing roles as well, including My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Ithaca, and A Hologram for the King.
The Circle is set for release in 2016.