Big-screen newcomer Danielle Panabaker has signed on to join Chuck Russell’s upcoming action flick “Prodigy,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.

In the film, an elite school promises to turn teenagers into geniuses via an unconventional treatment. The school’s methods and program, however, comes into question when a rebellious student is linked to the sudden deaths of several alumni.

Panabaker is set to play the gifted daughter of a senator who starts to criticize the head of the school. Also on board in the role of the disobedient youngster is Max Theriot, whose credits include “Nancy Drew,” “Jumper” and the recent “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.”

Russell is directing a script by Dave Kalstein, who adapted his own novel. The project is set to kick into production gear in October.

Panabaker kicked off her big-screen career in 2005’s “Sky High.” She also recently starred in “Yours, Mine and Ours” and “Mr. Brooks.” He next project is Marcus Nispel’s horror remake “Friday the 13th.”