The British actor is in negotiations to star alongside Johnny Depp in Alcon’s project marking the feature directorial debut of Christopher Nolan’s cinematographer Wally Pfister.

Lionsgate handles international sales on Transcendence, which is set to commence principal photography in April in Los Angeles.

Warner Bros holds US rights and will distribute in mid-2014 through its output deal with Alcon.

Bettany will next be heard as the voice of Jarvis in summer blockbuster season opener Iron Man 3.