Last October, we learned that two prequels to Eli Roth’s 2002 horror film Cabin Fever were poised to be filmed back-to-back: Cabin Fever: Patient Zero and Cabin Fever: Outbreak.  Kaare Andrews (Altitude) was subsequently set to direct the first prequel, Patient Zero, and now a trio of actors have joined the project.  Variety reports that Sean Astin, Brando Eaton (Dexter, The Secret Life of the American Teenager), and Ben Hollingsworth (The Joneses) will topline the pic, which is set to start filming on August 13th in the Dominican Republic.

The story for Patient Zero concerns on bachelor party on a cruise in the Caribbean that unexpectedly runs ashore on a medical research island where a deadly virus is unleashed.  The script was written by Jake Wade Wall (When a Stranger Calls), and Andrews is best known for his comics work like The Incredible Hulk, Ultimate X-Men, and Spider-Man: Reign.  No word on when the second Cabin Fever prequel, Outbreak, will begin production.

One of the two Cabin Fever prequels is almost ready to shoot, as director Kaare Andrews (Altitude) is in final talks to helm the project. The first prequel, Cabin Fever: Patient Zero will trace the roots of the deadly virus witnessed in the 2002 original directed by Eli Roth. The plot will follow passengers aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean as they deal with an outbreak of the virus following a collision with an abandoned research vessel. Andrews will direct from a screenplay by Jake Wade Wall (The Hitcher) and filming will take place in the Dominican Republic. Hit the jump for more.

If you’ve been pining for a franchise based on Eli Roth’s 2002 horror film Cabin Fever, you’re in luck. While a straight-to-DVD sequel (Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever) to the flesh-eating virus infested film was released in 2009, today it was announced that not one, but two prequels to Roth’s film are on the way, with production poised to begin in early 2012. Cabin Fever: Patient Zero will start things off with the story of a cruise ship in the Caribbean that collides with an abandoned research vessel, unleashing the deadly virus we met in Roth’s original. Jake Wade Wall (The Hitcher) will write the screenplay for Patient Zero, which will center on the ship’s passengers trying to find a way to survive before the virus consumes them.

Cabin Fever: Outbreak will follow, telling the story of a doctor and his family who travel to a remote Caribbean island to investigate a flu outbreak, only to come face-to-face with the flesh-eating virus that populates the franchise. The family is faced with preventing a worldwide epidemic. Outbreak will be written by Adam and Deborah Marcus (Leatherface 3D). The films, produced by the Indomina Group, will be shot back-to-back in the Dominican Republic next spring. Hit the jump to read the full press release.