Jennifer Lawrence will star in Zach Cregger’s sci-fi thriller The Flood. The high-profile project was picked up by Warner Bros.’ New Line division after moving out of turnaround from Netflix earlier this year, according to reports from Variety and JoBlo. A theatrical release is officially locked in for August 11, 2028.
Studio Backing After Major Horror Success
New Line Cinema is backing the picture. The studio previously produced Cregger’s breakout horror hit Weapons.
That film grossed $270 million worldwide against a budget of under $40 million.
Cregger wrote the script for The Flood based on an original idea. He will direct and produce the film. Production is slated to begin in Europe in the early months of 2027. Amblin Entertainment is producing alongside Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo Entertainment.
A Selective Star Lands the Lead
Lawrence’s casting represents a major coup for the studio. The actress is notoriously selective with her roles.
Variety reported that her recent credits include the postpartum drama Die My Love, the comedy No Hard Feelings, and the A24 drama Causeway. She is also set to star in Martin Scorsese’s thriller What Happens at Night alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and will appear in the prequel Sunrise on the Reaping.
Warner Bros. co-chairs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy praised the casting in a joint statement cited by Variety and JoBlo. They called Lawrence "one of the most gifted and compelling actors working today." Cregger added in his own statement that he is "beyond excited to see her in this role" following their successful collaboration on Weapons.
Inside the Space-Set Narrative
Plot details remain largely under wraps. However, JoBlo reported that the story takes place in space.
Cregger described the narrative as having a unique structure that unfolds differently than his previous films. He noted that while it features horror elements, it is not strictly a horror movie.
Cregger also cited Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey as an influence on the project’s tone. He pointed to its exploration of human nature and artificial intelligence as thematic parallels.
Release Schedule and Production Facts
When is The Flood releasing in theaters?
Warner Bros. has scheduled the theatrical release of The Flood for August 11, 2028.
Who is directing The Flood?
Zach Cregger wrote, directed, and produced the film, returning to New Line Cinema after making Weapons.
Where is production taking place?
Filming for The Flood is scheduled to begin in Europe during the first months of 2027.
Who is producing the sci-fi thriller?
Amblin Entertainment is producing the film alongside Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo Entertainment.
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