Word broke yesterday that Johnny Depp has formally committed to star in Wally Pfister’s leap from cinematography to directing with sci-fi pic Transcendence. We now know who will be starring alongside him, as Paul Bettany is in final negotiations.

Pfister, who has mostly famous collaborated with Christopher Nolan on the Dark Knight trilogy, is making the jump to the director’s chair after making plans for at least a couple of years.

The plot for the film, written by Jack Paglen, is being kept under wraps, but then we’d expect no less from a man who has worked so closely with Team Nolan. Rumours have flown about a malevolent artificial intelligence, but we think the director of Dark Knight Rises is really just a man. Sorry… We mean, the artificial intelligence bit is the possible plot for the film, but nothing is confirmed yet, besides Deadline reporting that Bettany will be a scientist.

Others who have been mentioned so far as possible cast members include James McAvoy (who may be too busy getting his mutant family in order for X-Men: Days Of Future Past), Noomi Rapace, Tobey Maguire and the freshly Oscar-awarded (for the second time) Christoph Waltz. It remains to be seen if any of them pan out, with Pfister looking to shoot soon. We’re intrigued, to say the least.

Bettany will be heard once more as Jarvis in Iron Man 3 (out April 26) and is also attached to star in war film Destroyer.