'Earth' welcomes Jennifer Connelly

Keanu Reeves attached to Fox's sci-fi remake

By MICHAEL FLEMING, TATIANA SIEGEL

Jennifer Connelly has signed on and Kathy Bates is negotiating to star in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" for 20th Century Fox. Keanu Reeves has already boarded the sci-fi remake.

Scott Derrickson will direct the pic as his follow-up to "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." Ryne Douglas Pearson wrote the screenplay; David Scarpa penned a recent draft.

Story kicks off as aliens land on Earth carrying a message for all humans: Live in peace or be destroyed. Connelly is set to portray Helen Benson, the role Patricia Neal played in the 1951 original.

Fox has set a December start date in Vancouver.

Erwin Stoff is producing alongside Derrickson's partner Paul Boardman, who also produced "Emily Rose."

Connelly is shooting the ensemble comedy "He's Just Not That Into You" for New Line. She will then segue to "Day the Earth Stood Still."

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