The futuristic, dystopian thriller may already feel played out, but with a cast this good, it almost doesn’t matter what kind of movie it is. Variety reports Jake Paltrow has recruited Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, Elle Fanning and Kodi Smit-McPhee to star in his “Young Ones”, set on a future post-apocalyptic Earth, and filming has been underway since February 1st.

Smit-McPhee actually appears to be the lead here, as the story follows a 14 year old boy who lives in a near-future when water is Earth’s most precious and fastest-disappearing resource. Smit-McPhee’s character is “forced use his wits to survive” but the vague plot details end right there. Has he figured out a way to make endless water? What does the title “Young Ones” have to do with a water-based plot, other than the age of the protagonist(s)? Mysteries abound but this one is certainly very intriguing.

Smit-McPhee most recently voiced the titular character in Oscar nominated “ParaNorman.” Fanning recently wrapped up “Maleficent” opposite Angelina Jolie, while Hoult’s name is probably going to start popping up on a lot of shorlists soon after headlining surprise hit zombie rom com “Warm Bodies.” Shannon plays that creepy guy in movies like “Take Shelter” and “The Iceman” and will be General Zod in “Man of Steel.”