Jennifer Connelly will star opposite Keanu Reeves in 20th Century Fox’s feature remake of Robert Wise’s 1951 sci fi movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. Kathy Bates is also in negotiations to star.

Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) will direct from a David Scarpa (The Last Castle) script.

The story is about an alien who comes to Earth carrying a message for all humans: Live in peace or be destroyed.

Connelly is set to portray Helen Benson, the scientist who first encounters the alien, named Klaatu (Reeves). Production is scheduled to start next month.