Hollywood’s hottest actors are vying to play the female lead in Johnny Depp’s next, “Transcendence”.

The feature debut of “Dark Knight Rises” cinematographer Wally Pfister, it’s a science-fiction yarn about a scientist whose brain is uploaded into a super computer. Depp will play the brainless doc, while the uncast female lead will play Evelyn, the scientist that carries out the operation.

Emily Blunt is being sought after for the role, but there’s a possibility the shooting dates might clash with “All You Need is Kill”, the Tom Cruise blockbuster she’s currently filming. Rooney Mara (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) and Rebecca Hall (“Lay the Favorite”) are also in contention; whichever way Psfister and EP’s Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas go, they’ll end up with a sizable name.

The Alcon entertainment production begins shooting March 4.