Ice Cube to Star in 'War of the Worlds' as Homeland Security Analyst

A modern adaptation of H.G. Wells' 'War of the Worlds' starring Ice Cube and Eva Longoria will debut on Prime Video on July 30, 2025. The film features Ice Cube as Will Radford, a cyber-security analyst working for the Department of Homeland Security who monitors potential national security threats. The plot centers on Radford questioning government transparency following an attack by an unknown entity.

The film, directed by Rich Lee, employs a distinctive storytelling approach that presents the narrative through the screens of electronic devices. Producer Patrick Aiello explained that this technique was chosen to reflect how modern catastrophes are experienced through technology. The production team utilized phones, computers, and tablets to create what they describe as an immersive first-person viewing experience.

Producer Timur Bekmambetov compared the film's approach to Orson Welles' radio broadcast of 'War of the Worlds,' noting how both utilized the dominant media technology of their respective eras. Bekmambetov's previous productions include 'Unfriended,' 'Searching,' and 'Missing,' which collectively earned over $200 million globally. His upcoming projects include the thriller 'Mercy' starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson.

The cast includes several notable actors alongside Ice Cube and Longoria, such as Clark Gregg, Andrea Savage, and Michael O'Neill. The screenplay was written by Kenneth Golde and Marc Hyman, with Charles Ancelle serving as editor. The film was independently produced with Aiello and Bekmambetov as producers and Adam Sidman as executive producer.