Robert Rodriguez & Max Borenstein team for sci-fi thriller Hypnotic The Hollywood Reporter brings word that director Robert Rodriguez is set to team up with screenwriter Max Borenstein for Hypnotic, a new sci-fi thriller from Studio 8. Rodriguez previously penned the script with Borenstein now set to do a rewrite. The Sin City filmmaker will produce and direct the project, which is described as “a grounded cop thriller with sci-fi elements.” The El Mariachi director’s next project is the upcoming Alita: Battle Angel, the long-in-development project from filmmaker James Cameron starring Rosa Salazar.