Browning
Warner Bros. has tapped Australian thesp Emily Browning ("The Uninvited") for the lead in Zack Snyder's fantasy-drama "Sucker Punch."
Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens, Emma Stone and Evan Rachel Wood also star. Browning's previous credits include "Ned Kelly" and "Lemony Snicket."
Snyder will direct and produce with his wife and producing partner, Deborah Snyder, through their Cruel and Unusual Films banner. Wesley Coller is exec producing.
"Sucker Punch," based on a story created by Snyder, follows a girl who's confined to a mental institution and creates an alternative reality. Snyder co-wrote the script with Steve Shibuya and has described the story as "Alice in Wonderland" with machine guns.
Production's expected to start in September. Warner Bros. had previously offered the lead role to Amanda Seyfried.
Contact Dave McNary at
dave.mcnary@variety.com