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Keanu Reeves has been pegged to star in a remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. Reeves will play Klaatu, a humanoid alien who arrives on Earth accompanied by an indestructible, heavily armed robot and a warning to world leaders that their continued aggression will lead to annihilation by species watching from afar.
Stoff is producing, with Scott Derrickson (”The Exorcism of Emily Rose”) directing from a script by David Scarpa. Reeves’ commitment puts the picture on track for a late fall or early 2008 production start. Studio sees it as a tentpole.
The Klaatu role was originated by Michael Rennie. The 1951 film’s premise, a response to the rise of the Cold War after WWII, is being updated, and the film will use advances in visual effects.