AceShowbiz -

Jonathan Mostow-directed "Surrogates" at last gets someone capable to lead its cast. Report from Variety has informed that producers of the sci-fi thriller have appointed Bruce Willis to topline the project, just shortly after announcement on the postponed production of his other starring vehicle "Pinkville."

Set in the near future where humans live in isolation and interact vicariously through surrogate robots who are better-looking versions of themselves, the project finds Willis as a cop who, through his surrogate, investigates the murders of others' surrogates. The man, however, is forced to venture from his own home for the first time in years and unravels a conspiracy.

Pic will be developed from script written by duo Michael Ferris and John Brancato based on a graphic novel from Top Shelf Comix. Shooting is being eyed to start in February 2008 in Boston with the movie expected to be released under Touchstone Pictures banner.