Johnny Depp to play sentient computer in singularity flick, Transcendence

For a man who has played a mascara-sporting pirate, a kooky confection mogul, and a tea-guzzling hatter, there is no film role that is out of the question. It is thus not much of a surprise to hear that Johnny Depp will be taking on the role of a mad scientist whose brain is uploaded to a supercomputer in an upcoming movie about the singularity.

Depps character, Will, is assassinated in the movie early on (this is not a spoiler), but his brain survives just long enough for his wife to transfer it to a supercomputer. Will is then able to continue his life virtually, which only accelerates his research.

The film, to be titled Transcendence, will perhaps be the first mainstream look at what the world could be like once the ability exists to merge humans with modern technology.

Scientist and futurist Ray Kurzweil believes that the singularity the point at which computers reach super-human levels will occur around 2045. He has also made the bold prediction that the human brain will be reverse-engineered in the 2020s, making it possible for computers to have h! uman-like intelligence. The book is partially based on his work, though as a fully fictionalized account.

To people who dont follow Kurzweils work, this kind of concept still sounds like wild movie plots from the past century. Transcendence will no doubt try to capture that same kind of eerie sci-fi tone, but with the even more unsettling backdrop that what happens on the screen might be real life in just a couple decades.

The screenplay is being written by a Hollywood newcomer, Jack Paglen. The cast seems to be quite impressive, though. Depps presence as the main character will ensure huge box office figures, and Christopher Nolan has also signed on as the executive producer.

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