Principal photography has begun on "global thriller" Contagion, being directed by Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh (Traffic).
The film brings together a stellar international ensemble cast including Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet.
According to the press release Contagion follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.
The original screenplay is written by Scott Z. Burns (The Bourne Ultimatum, The Informant!).
Filming will take place on location around the world, including sites in Hong Kong, Macao, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, London and Geneva.
A tentative release date is yet to be announced.