The post-apocalyptc science-fiction genre is alive as ever (ironically), and next year will see the release of two new installments anchored by aging (but still massively-popular) A-listers: After Earth, starring Will and Jaden Smith - with M. Night Shyamalan directing - and Oblivion, featuring Tom Cruise in the lead and Joseph Kosinski (TRON: Legacy) at the helm.

Unfortunately, we had to pull conceptual artwork for Oblivion that was posted earlier this week (at studio's request). However, on the plus side, we can now offer the official poster; not to mention, an update on when the first trailer will be available for viewing online.

Here is the official synopsis for Oblivion (which is based on the unpublished graphic novel created by Kosinski):

Jack Harper (Cruise) is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth.  Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete.

Living in and patrolling the breathtaking skies from thousands of feet above, his soaring existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft.  Her arrival triggers a chain of events that  forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of humanity in his hands.

Check out the Oblivion poster (via IGN) below:

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'Oblivion' Poster

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Disney was originally going to fund and distribute Kosinski's new sci-fi project, but the two parted ways after the Mouse House decided a hard-edged PG-13 sci-fi thriller wouldn't be appropriate for its family-friendly banner. At the time, it was speculated that the moderate (but below-expectations) financial returns for Legacy contributed to Disney's decision to pass on Oblivion; however, recent reports on renewed development for Tron 3 (with Kosinski expected to return as director) suggest otherwise.

Either way, Universal is backing Oblivion and the project has secured a solid roster of acting talent, including Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Magic City), Andrea Riseborough (W.E.) and 'Kingslayer' himself, Nikolaj-Coster-Waldau (a.k.a. Jamie Lannister on Game of Thrones).

The Oblivion trailer is scheduled to drop this Sunday, December 9th, so we should have a better idea of what to expect from the film soon enough (in terms of style and tone). That footage stands to leave a strong visual impression, judging by that leaked artwork and the official poster; not to mention, the involvement of people like Legacy director of photography Claudio Miranda (Life of Pi), supervising art director Kevin Ishioka and production designer Darren Gilford.

Oblivion was written by Oscar-winner William Monahan (The DepartedSin City: A Dame to Kill For), Karl Gajdusek (Trepass, co-creator of Last Resort) and Oscar-winner Michael Arndt (Star Wars: Episode VII). Keep an eye out for the trailer to pop up here at Screen Rant this weekend.

Meanwhile, the actual film hits IMAX theaters exclusively on April 12th, 2013; it opens in regular theaters a week later on the 19th.

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Source: IGN