BEIJING, Aug. 3-- Nicole Kidman is in final negotiations to star in"Invasion," an update of the classic of 1956 sci-fi thriller"Invasion of the Body Snatchers".

Nicole Kidman is in final negotiations to star in"Invasion," an update of the classic of 1956 sci-fi thriller"Invasion of the Body Snatchers".The story takes place after a mysterious epidemic alters the behavior of human beings. The Oscar-winning Kidman plays a Washington psychiatrist who discovers that its origins are extraterrestrial. She must fight to protect her son, who may hold the key to stopping the invasion.

Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, and produced by Joel Silver and Vertigo Entertainment, the film will start shooting in October on locations in Washington D.C., Baltimore and New York.

"Invasion gives Nicole an opportunity to bring her depth and range to the kind of gritty action role that we haven't see her play before, as Oliver infuses the film with the brand of provocative, character-driven storytelling he's known for," Silver said.

The movie was originally released in 1956 but has had many remakes. There was a remake in 1978 starring Jeff Glodblum of"Jurassic Park" fame, co-starring Brooke Adams and Donald Sutherland.

Director Abel Ferrara also made a version in 1993. The films are based on the novel by Jack Finney.

It is targeted for release sometime in 2006 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original.

(Agencies)