Cory Hardrict is a name that doesn’t get mentioned often, when conversations are had about upcoming or even existing young black male actors. I’d readily admit that I haven’t been watching his career as closely as I probably should; although I plan to invest time watching some of his most recent performances to catch up, ahead of roles in upcoming features, including this one, recently-announced.

Hardrict has joined the cast of the sci-fi thriller Transcendence, which stars Johnny Depp.

Morgan Freeman co-stars in the film, which is DP Wally Pfister’s directorial debut, based on a script by Jack Paglen, developed by Annie Marter and Straight Up Films.

Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas and Aaron Ryder are executive producers.

Full story details as well as what character each actor will play, are being kept under-wraps, other than the logline which reads: A scientist has his brain uploaded into a computer in a cutting edge experiment.

Hardrict will play a member of an anti-technology organization known as the RIFT Unit.

Paul Bettany, Rebecca Hall, Cole Hauser, Kate Mara and Cillian Murphy round out the cast.

Shooting has begun in Los Angeles, with Alcon Entertainment financing and producing, and an April 25, 2014 release set via Warner Bros.

Hardrict was last seen in Warm Bodies and next appears as part of the cast of Lovelace, which stars Amanda Seyfried.