Scarlett Johansson to Play Alien Seductress in 'Under the Skin'

Scarlett Johansson as the perfect woman? A perfect alien woman?

That is what FilmNation is selling at AFM, launching Under the Skin, a sci-fi drama from Sexy Beast writer-director Jonathan Glazer.

According to the company, and sure to please many of Johansson’s many admirers, “Johansson plays an alien on earth, disguised as the perfect aesthetic form of a mesmerizing woman. She scours remote highways and desolate scenery looking to use her greatest weapon to snare human prey -- her voracious sexuality.”

But, wait, there’s more. “She is deadly efficient, but over time becomes drawn to and changed by the complexity of life on earth. With this new found humanity and weakening alien resolve, she finds herself on a collision course with her own kind. Taking her point of view throughout, the film presents a unique look at our world through alien eyes.”

Glazer co-wrote the script with Walter Campbell and is eying a production late spring 2011.
 
In a statement, FilmNation CEO Glen Basner said, “We’re so very excited to be working on this arrestingly original movie. How could we pass up the chance to work with a visionary director like Jonathan, especially when combined with the intriguing notion of Scarlett Johansson as a ruthless alien seductress?”
 
Skin is produced by Nick Wechsler and James Wilson and based on the Canongate-published novel by Michel Faber. Film4's Tessa Ross is executive producing with Tanya Seghatchian stewarding at the U.K. Film Council, with the assistance of Scottish Screen.

Johansson, repped by CAA, shoots The Avengers this winter.