Oscar winner Natalie Portman is in early talks to star in the sci-fi movie “Annihilation,” which is director Alex Garland‘s follow-up to “Ex Machina,” TheWrap said citing an individual familiar with the project.

Scott Rudin is producing the adaptation of the Jeff VanderMeer novel, which is set up at Paramount, which had no comment.

Portman does not have a deal in place, but there is interest on both sides for her to play a biologist who takes on a dangerous mission where the laws of nature don’t apply.

Portman’s recent directorial effort “A Tale of Love of Darkness” is about to debut at Cannes. Her casting was first reported by Variety.