Charlize Theron has signed on to join Viggo Mortensen in the bigscreen adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's bestselling novel "The Road" for 2929 Entertainment and Dimension Films reports Variety.

The story centers on a man who embarks on a nightmarish road trip after a nuclear explosion in an attempt to transport his son to safety while fending off cannibals.

Theron, who will play the wife of Mortensen's character, will be seen mostly in flashback. Aussie helmer John Hillcoat ("The Proposition") is directing from a screenplay by Joe Penhall.

Shooting is set to begin next month. Theron is currently filming "The Burning Plain," also for 2929.