The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer have BIG plans for Cloud Atlas...

The Hollywood Reporter has the story:

Cloud Atlas, the ambitious literary adaptation being co-written and co-directed by The Matrix siblings Andy and Lana Wachowski and German helmer Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run, The International) is set to begin shooting mid-to-late September at Germany's Studio Babelsberg. The mega project, which stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw and Jim Broadbent, has been delayed slightly as Berlin-based producers X Filme close financing and contract negotiations with talent. X Filme topper Stefan Ardnt said the budget for Cloud will be "definitely lower" than then $100 million - $120 million that had been floated as an estimate in the past but he would not be drawn into giving an exact figure. Ardnt did confirm that the bulk of Cloud, "some 80 percent," will be shot in Babelsberg, Berlin and the surrounding area.

The film is based on David Mitchell's epic novel, which follows six story-lines, each set in a different place and era. The novel's timeline and geography stretches from 19th century Australia to a post-apocalyptic Hawaii.

The Wachowskis are teaming up with Tom Tykwer and Tom Hanks?

Apparently so, according to The Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. and Focus Features International are set to distribute Cloud Atlas, which has Tom Hanks attached to star. Based on David Mitchell's best-selling 2004 novel, the project is being co-written and co-directed by Matrix filmmakers Andy and Lana Wachowski and Run Lola Run writer-director Tom Tykwer.

Grant Hill and Stefan Arndt are producing the film with the Wachowskis under their new Five Drops label. Philip Lee will serve as executive producer.

Warner Bros. will distribute the film in North America, and Focus Int'l will handle foreign sales at Cannes and distribution on behalf of Anarchos Pictures and X Filme. The filmmakers plan to start filming in September.

Mitchell's book follows six storylines that include a 19th century American notary, a poor British musician in the 1930s, a journalist in 1970s California, a vanity press publisher in the early 21st century, a rebellious clone in the near future and a primitive Hawaiian tribesman surviving after the apocalypse.

-Joey's Two Cents: Color me intrigued...thoughts?