Attack the Block was the stellar indie hit that put director Joe Cornish on the map. The innovative action sci-fi comedy featured a cast of unknowns fighting what appeared to be an invading alien force. Now Cornish is confirmed to write and direct an adaptation of Neal Stephenson‘s Snow Crash over at Paramount. Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will produce.

Stephenson’s novel centers on a futuristic world controlled by a corrupt corporation, where a deadly computer virus runs rampant and the only person who can stop it is a samurai/hacker/pizza delivery man named Hiro Protagonist.

Here’s the official book synopsis from Amazon:

Based on the header image and the premise alone, this is right in Cornish’s wheelhouse. He has a great understanding of mixing action, sci-fi, and comedy elements. So he should have no problem setting those tones for the Snow Crash adaption.

According to Deadline, Kennedy was the one who introduced Stephenson’s novel to Cornish. Kennedy is a familiar name within the industry, as she is the one who has produced movies such as War of the Worlds, Benjamin Button, The Adventures of Tintin (which was co-written by Cornish), War Horse, and most recently Lincoln.

I am actually surprised to see Cornish take so long to get back into the director’s chair. Seemed like he couldn’t find the right fit. But Snow Crash is something that most certainly fits and I can’t wait to see how he brings the novel to life.

[Source: Deadline]