Noomi Rapace

What Happened to Monday?, the upcoming and long-awaited dystopian drama, focuses on the story of a group of septuplet (that’s right, seven) women whose very existences are threatened by their own hegemonic governing party, which forbids couples from bearing more than a single child. Though the seemingly Orwellian plot is generating an undeniable buzz in the sci-fi community, the most intriguing aspect of the film appears to be Noomi Rapace’s (Prometheus, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) commitment to playing all seven of the sisters at once.

Tommy Wirkola (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Dead Snow) is set to direct the film, a position originally reserved for Morten Tyldum (Headhunters, Fallen Angels). Adding further to the impression of malleability surrounding Monday’s production is the fact that, until Rapace signed onto the project, the little-known screenwriter, Max Botkin (Opposite Day, Cody the Robosapien), whose Monday script made it onto the 2010 Black List, initially intended for the seven characters to be brothers.

In a statement with Variety, Workola defends his decision to cast Repace for the lead role, claiming, “Although the role was originally written for a male, I was struck by the complexities of having an actor portray seven characters and immediately knew Noomi was the ideal actor – male or female – to bring them to life.”

With major upcoming roles in Child 44 and Animal Rescue (both of which star Tom Hardy), Repace is gaining significant steam as of late. The sequel to Ridley Scott’s Prometheus (the script of which has reportedly been finalized) will only do more to propel her budding career.

Vendome Pictures is producing the film, under execs Rafaella De Laurentiis and Philippe Rousselet.