The Wachowski siblings, directors of The Matrix trilogy, are finally returning later this year with their first directorial feature since 2008’s Speed Racer.  This next directorial outing is an ambitious adaptation of Cloud Atlas, but Andy and Lana are currently prepping for a big return to sci-fi with Jupiter Ascending.  Plot details on the film have been under lock and key other than the fact that it’s an “action sci-fi” film and Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis are set to star.  Now quite a few plot details have apparently leaked, along with the information that the pic is the first in a planned trilogy and an offer may be extended to multitasker extraordinaire Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  Hit the jump for more.the_wachowski_siblings_jupiter_ascendingThese purported plot details come courtesy of Vulture, and here’s how their sources set up the synopsis:

Imagine a universe in which “human beings are just the Cro-Magnons, or even the Australopithecines, of what beings can ultimately go on to become in the galaxy,” explains our source, before adding, “It’s a return to form for [the Wachowskis], because these higher forms of life are watching us from other, albeit this time non-meta worlds, but actual, other worlds, as in planets and moons.”

Alright, so the Wachowskis are going universal.  As for the characters, the lead in the film is the heroine played by Kunis:

“A recent Russian immigrant — played by actual Ukrainian immigrant Mila Kunis — who is busily scrubbing toilets for a living. Unbeknownst to her, she actually possesses the same perfect genetic makeup as the Queen of the Universe and is therefore a threat to her otherwise immortal rule.”

The Queen of the Universe is apparently none too happy about Kunis’ character’s similar genetic structure, so she sends an evolved bounty hunter—played by Tatum—to get rid of the threat.  As one might expect, the bounty hunter ends up falling in love with his target, and the two encounter a world of trouble as the Queen and her like take great issue with said bounty hunter’s feelings.  We previously heard that the Wachowskis were courting V for Vendetta star Natalie Portman for the project, and it would make perfect sense for her to play the Queen opposite Kunis' heroine role.

The antagonists won’t simply be “big thugs,” as the evolved beings possess greater abilities:

“These evolved beings fall into various different groups, all of which share some human DNA but who have become evolved after being bred with animal DNA to heighten their best characteristics — e.g., soldiers getting their fearlessness, strength, and a pack mentality from wolves; workers getting their industriousness and reputation for diligence from bees.”

It’s the kind of story and world that’s so out there and ambitious that it could only come from the Wachowskis.  It’s important to note that no official plot logline or synopsis has been released, so these plot details could be partially or wholly inaccurate.  That said, this being their first foray into sci-fi since The Matrix series, the Wachowskis seem to be up to the task of attempting to top that franchise's ambitious nature.

As for the offer to Gordon-Levitt, Vulture notes that the offer has yet to officially go out.  The actor is insanely busy acting/directing/writing/performing/running a website/etc. so I wouldn’t be shocked if he has to turn Jupiter Ascending down.  However, a chance to work with the Wachowskis should prove pretty damn tempting.