Rapace to Star in Sci-Fi Action Thriller “What Happened to Monday?”

Noomi Rapace is questioning Monday

The 35-year-old half-Spanish actress will star opposite Willem Dafoe in What Happened to Monday?

Noomi Rapace

In a future where overpopulation and famine have forced governments to undertake a drastic One-Child Policy, seven identical sisters live a hide-and-seek existence pursued by the Child Allocation Bureau. The Bureau, directed by the fierce Nicolette Cayman, enforces a strict family-planning agenda that the sisters outwit by taking turns assuming the identity of one person: Karen Settman. Taught by their grandfather who raised and named them — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday — each can go outside once a week as their common identity, but are only free to be themselves in the prison of their own apartment. That is until, one day, Monday does not come home.

The film, directed by Tommy Wirkola, has started shooting in Bucharest at the Castel Film Studios.

Rapace and Dafoe are joined by Glenn Close in the sci-fi action thriller. Marwan Kenzari, Christian Rubeck and Pal Sverre Hagen have also boarded the project.

Wirkola (Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters) is directing from a script written by Kerry Williamson (Alex Cross) and Max Botkin (Robosapien: Rebooted).

Rapace achieved international fame with her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish film adaptations of the Millennium series: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest.

Her other film credits include Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Prometheus and Child 44.

Rapace to Star in Sci-Fi Drama “What Happened To Monday?”

It’s just another manic Monday for Noomi Rapace

The 33-year-old half-Spanish actress is teaming up with Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters director Tommy Wirkola for What Happened To Monday?

Noomi Rapace

Rapace will portray septuplet sisters who struggle to stay hidden in an overpopulated world where a one-child policy outlaws siblings in the sci-fi drama.

Wirkola said he originally envisioned the protagonist(s) as male, but “I was struck by the complexities of having an actor portray seven characters and immediately knew Noomi was the ideal actor – male or female – to bring them to life,” said Wirkola in a statement.

That puts the breakout star of the original The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in the rare company of female talent like Angelina Jolie, who succeeded Tom Cruise as the star of Salt.

The script for What Happened To Monday? was written by Max Botkin.

Rapace, who signed with Creative Artists Agency this past August, will next star in Child 44 and Animal Rescue.