Friday star Ice Cube has been cast in a new untitled grounded sci-fi film from Universal with Patrick Aiello and Timur Bekmambetov producing, according to Deadline. Rich lee will direct the script written by Kenneth Golde.

The plot has yet to be fully detailed, but the film so far has been compared to District 9 with an emphasis on themes of privacy versus surveillance.

Universal was intrigued by the talent involved in the project, but fast tracked it to go into production next month due to Bekmambetov’s remote-filming technology. He began fine-tuning this film making format when he signed a five-picture deal with the studio earlier this year. This allows for a fully remote production with all actors and crew working from their own individual locations.

The shoot of the film would be the first of its kind at this scope, providing safer production during the COVID-19 pandemic while also operating on a smaller budget.

Cube was shooting the upcoming Universal sports drama Flint Strong earlier this year, but production as halted due to the pandemic. The film is written by Moonlight writer-director Barry Jenkins and will be directed by Rachel Morrison. The studio plans for Flint Strong to go back into production as soon as possible due to the timeliness of its themes.

Earlier this year Cube starred in The High Note, a music drama starring Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson.