David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen are all set to collaborate on, hopefully, another would-be masterpiece, Crimes of the Future. The latest sci-fi horror offering from Cronenberg has begun filming in Athens, Greece with several big names attached to star. Alongside Mortensen are starring Léa Seydox, Kristen Stewart, and Scott Speedman. Crimes of the Future marks Cronenberg's much-awaited return to the director's chair after 2014's Maps to the Stars. Crimes of the Future is a film that, according to Mortensen, Cronenberg has been working on for a long time. It's almost like a dream project for the body horror maestro. Also, Cronenberg is taking on the writing duties for only the second time since 1999's eXistenZ.

Viggo Mortensen released a statement confirming that the filming is underway and about his experience working again with David Cronenberg.

"As we begin filming Crimes of the Future, just two days into this new adventure with David Cronenberg, it feels like we've entered a story he collaborated on with Samuel Beckett and William Burroughs, if that were possible. We are being pulled into a world that is not quite like this or any other, and yet is one that feels strangely familiar, immediate and quite credible. I can't wait to see where we end up."

Mortensen makes it sound like the film will be a mind-boggler. Well, what else can we expect from a filmmaker like David Cronenberg, who is known for making striking sci-fi/ body horror films like The Fly and Videodrome. Though in recent years, he has ventured into more dramatic territory with films like A History Of Violence, Eastern Promises, and Cosmopolis starring Robert Pattinson.

Deadline revealed the official synopsis back in May. It goes as follows, "This is the first original sci-fi script by Cronenberg since 1999's eXistenZ. It sounds just as ambitious, taking a deep dive into the not-so-distant future where humankind is learning to adapt to its synthetic surroundings. This evolution moves humans beyond their natural state and into a metamorphosis, altering their biological makeup. While some embrace the limitless potential of trans-humanism, others attempt to police it. Either way, 'Accelerated Evolution Syndrome', is spreading fast."

"Saul Tenser is a beloved performance artist who has embraced Accelerated Evolution Syndrome, sprouting new and unexpected organs in his body. Along with his partner Caprice, Tenser has turned the removal of these organs into a spectacle for his loyal followers to marvel at in real time theatre. But with both the government and a strange subculture taking note, Tenser is forced to consider what would be his most shocking performance of all."

Viggo Mortensen will likely play the lead character Saul Tenser. Although it hasn't been officially confirmed. According to reports, Crimes of the Future only shares the name with the 1970 film (which was also directed by Cronenberg). It is an original screenplay by Cronenberg. Even though the film will be inspired by the Sci-fi horror elements of the 1970's Crimes of the Future, it isn't a direct remake. And judging by the synopsis, that seems to be true.

Crimes of the Future recently expanded its already star-studded lineup with new additions, Tanaya Beatty (True Justice), Nadia Litz (Blindness), Yorgos Karamihos (The Durrells in Corfu), and Yorgos Pirpassopoulos (Monday). Also in the film are, Welket Bungué (Berlin Alexanderplatz), Don McKellar (Last Night), and Lihi Kornowski (Losing Alice). The film will also see the return of Scott Speedman (Underworld, The Strangers) in his first mainstream Hollywood role in years.

The filming is expected to last only a month till September. As of now, no release date has been announced. But if shooting is a month-long, then post-production won't be very long either. So, a mid-2022 release seems likely for Crimes of the Future. The film will be a Neon and Serendipity Point Films co-production with Cronenberg's longtime collaborator Robert Lantos serving as the producer. Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings) is composing the film. Crimes of the Future is turning out to be a must-see for horror and sci-fi fans. Let's hope it doesn't disappoint. Stay tuned for more updates. This news originated at Deadline.