Panabaker cast as Russell's 'Prodigy'

Danielle Panabaker will lead the cast of Chuck Russell's sci-fi action film Prodigy, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The movie is based around a controversial school that turns teenagers into geniuses using a drug-and-diet programme at a tuition cost of $500,000. After several pupils are found murdered, the path leads to a rebellious student played by Max Theriot.

Dave Kalstein has adapted the screenplay from his own novel. Russell (The Mask, The Scorpion King) will direct the film in Spain next month.

Panabaker can next be seen in the horror remake Friday The 13th.