Scarlett Johansson Attached To Play Sexy Alien In Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Under The Skin’

Production Tentatively Slated For Spring 2011

If there is one director we’ve been dying to get back behind the camera, it’s Jonathan Glazer. He made a helluva debut with “Sexy Beast” but fell off the map when his sorely underappreciated “Birth” failed to find an audience and got mired in an undeserved minor controversy thanks to the film’s “bathtub scene.” However, it’s not for a lack of trying. Last year, it was reported that his adaptation of Michael Faber‘s “Under The Skin” was being prepped to go in front of cameras this year, but obviously, that never happened. But it now looks like the wheels are back in motion.

Deadline reports that one of the projects being shopped at the American Film Market which begins to tomorrow will be Glazer’s “Under The Skin” and that Scarlett Johansson is attached to the play the lead role of “an alien on earth, disguised as a mesmerizing woman who uses her voracious sexuality to scour remote highways and desolate scenery to snare human prey.” Cue geek drooling.

Late last year we had heard rumblings that Gemma Arterton was in talks for the part, which obviously never materialized. It’s some intriguing material, and if anyone can pull off the sexy, satirical edge of Faber’s novel, it’s Glazer. But even with Johansson in the lead, it may be tough sell for potential investors and distributors. Female-led, sci-fi flicks are tough to market, but we do hope financing can come into place. If it does, the project is planning to go in front of cameras next spring.

Needless to say, we really hope it comes together because Glazer is far too talented to be left sitting on the sidelines.