Halle Berry to topline "The Hive" thriller

PanARMENIAN.Net - After a prolonged negotiation, "X-Men" star Halle Berry is set to topline Troika Pictures' thriller "The Hive," which Brad Anderson will direct this summer, according to Variety.

Set against the backdrop of a 911 call center, fast-paced suspense pic will find Berry playing a 911 emergency operator who must face her own fears in order to save a teenage girl from a disturbed killer.

Rich D'Ovidio wrote the script, which is based on an original story by Nicole D'Ovidio, Jon Bokencamp and the scribe.

Robert Stein and Michael Helfant will produce for Troika Pictures, whose Bradley Gallo will co-produce. Jeff Graup will also produce the pic, while Philip M. Cohen and William Gallo will exec produce.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has domestic rights, with foreign sales being handled by Sierra/Affinity. Production is skedded to start in late June in Los Angeles.

Berry was attached to a previous incarnation of the project when Joel Schumacher was onboard to direct. She wasn't involved with the pic when Anderson signed on to direct in January, citing personal scheduling issues at the time. Several top actresses pursued the project, but Berry recommitted to star after the start date was pushed back.

Berry recently appeared in "New Year's Eve" and can currently be seen in John Stockwell's shark pic "Dark Tide." Thesp will next appear alongside fellow Oscar winner Tom Hanks and in WB's big-budget sci-fi pic "Cloud Atlas," which hails from directors Andy and Lana Wachowski, as well as Tom Tykwer.