Keanu Reeves to play neuroscientist in sci-fi film

Actor Keanu Reeves has been signed on to essay a neuroscientist in a Tanya Wexler-directed thriller titled "Replicas".

The movie centers on a daring neuroscientist (Reeves) who, after a car accident kills his family, will stop at nothing to bring them back, even if it means pitting himself against a government-controlled laboratory, a police task force and the physical laws of science, according to hollywoodreporter.com.

Production of the film is scheduled to begin in spring 2015.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura of "GI Joe" and "Transformers" fame is co-producing the film with Stephen Hamel, Reeves and Fundamental Films.

"We loved the notion of taking the 'how far will a man go to save his family' story hook and then adding a high concept sci-fi twist.

"Keanu has obviously had a lot of success in the sci-fi genre, and we are excited to have him anchoring a story, which we believe will have great appeal to audiences across the globe," Lotus Entertainment's Bill Johnson and Jim Seibel said in a joint statement.

Said Bonaventura: "From my experience working with Keanu on 'The Matrix' franchise through our collaboration on Constantine, I have always been impressed by (his) ability to bring a genuine level of humanity to the sci-fi genre through his performance.

"I am looking forward to collaborating with Keanu once again on this unique take on what lengths a person will go to alter the past, and the implications of those actions."

Reeves, best known for his role as Neo in "The Matrix" trilogy, isn't new to the sci-fi action films genre.

He recently starred in the action film "John Wick".