After seducing Johnny Depp in “The Rum Diary,” Amber Heard is in talks to play the female lead opposite Liam Hemsworth in IM Global’s thriller “Paranoia,” which will be distributed stateside by Relativity Media.
Robert Luketic is directing from a script by Jason Dean Hall, based on a previous draft by Barry Levy, who originally adapted Joseph Finder’s novel of the same name. Pic co-stars Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman and Lucas Till.
Hemsworth stars as a blue-collar guy who makes a costly and illegal mistake while trying to get ahead in his entry-level job. His boss agrees not to turn him in under one condition: he must infiltrate the competition as a corporate spy. Protag quickly learns that he’s a pawn in his boss’ game.
Heard is making a deal to play Hemsworth’s love interest, an intended one-night-stand who becomes the key to his success as a spy when he learns that she works at the rival company.
“Paranoia” will be produced by Alexandra Milchan of Emjag Prods., Scott Lambert of Film 360 and Deepak Nayar.
Production is skedded to start in July, and Relativity will release the film in the U.S. on Sept. 27, 2013. IM Global will handle international distribution.
Heard, who recently starred on NBC’s “The Playboy Club,” is currently filming Robert Rodriguez’s sequel “Machete Kills,” in which she plays a femme fatale. Thesp will soon be seen alongside Kellan Lutz and Shiloh Fernandez in the indie “Syrup.”
Heard is repped by WME and Media Talent Group.
