James McAvoy, Juno Temple and Joey King team up for sci-fi comedy 'Almost You'

Juno Temple, Joey King and James McAvoy star in 'Almost You', a sci-fi comedy exploring AI, grief and family bonds

Juno Temple, Joey King and James McAvoy are set to star in Almost You, a science-fiction comedy exploring artificial intelligence and grief.

The film is directed by Matt Lipsey, known for his work on Ted Lasso and Inside No. 9, and is currently shooting in Glasgow, Scotland, Variety reported.

The film follows Phoebe, a brilliant robotics engineer struggling to cope with the death of her younger sister, Edie. Using years of messages, videos and social media posts, Phoebe creates a lifelike artificial intelligence replica of her sister, defying the protocols of the technology company where she works.

Initially, the invention brings Phoebe comfort and happiness. However, the experiment soon forces her to confront difficult questions about grief, technology and the ethics of recreating deceased loved ones through AI.

Temple, known for Ted Lasso and Fargo, King, whose credits include The Act and We Were the Lucky Ones, and McAvoy, known for Atonement and The Last King of Scotland, will lead the cast.

Bankside Films has acquired worldwide sales rights to the project and will co-represent the UK and North America with UTA Independent Film Group.

Matt Lipsey said the film had initially been conceived as a story about the future but had become increasingly relevant to the present. He added that the cast would balance humour with emotional moments.

The project reunites McAvoy with producer Danny Page, who previously worked with the actor on California Schemin’ and Faith. Page will produce alongside Matt Schichter and Rory Stewart, with the film made in association with Parker Films, founded by McAvoy and Lisa Liberati.

Financing comes from Blazing Griffin, Homefront Productions, Yeti Entertainment and Head Gear Films.

With its combination of science fiction, comedy and emotional drama, Almost You explores the growing influence of artificial intelligence on human relationships and the boundaries of technology.