Johnny Depp attends the premiere of 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' in London while Daisy Ridley attends the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences 43rd Student Academy Awards in California. (Photo : Getty Images/Jeff Spicer, Matt Winkelmeyer)
Johnny Depp and Daisy Ridley have been confirmed to star in Fox's film adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express." Among their co-stars are Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Pena.
Aside from directing the film, Kenneth Branagh will also be associated with the project in an acting capacity and will play the role of famed detective Hercule Poirot. Adapted from Agatha Christie's 1934 classic detective novel, the film follows the story of Poirot as he tries to solve a murder of a business tycoon on board the famous train service.
Depp will play the role of murder victim named Ratchett in the film while Ridley and Pfeiffer portray the characters of Mrs. Hubbard and Mary Debenham, respectively. Judi Dench will be seen as Russian Princess Dragomiroff.
"Christie's 'Murder' is mysterious, compelling and unsettling," Branagh said in a statement obtained by Entertainment Weekly. "I'm honored to have this fantastic group of actors bring these dark materials to life for a new audience."
Lucy Boynton, Tom Bateman, Derek Jacobi, and "Hamilton" star Leslie Odom Jr. are some of the other actors that will feature in the film. Angelina Jolie was originally considered for the role of Mrs. Hubbard but the actress passed on the project in August, Variety reported.
This is not the first time the novel has been adapted into a movie. A 1974 version of the film, directed by Sidney Lumet, starred Lauren Bacall Albert Finney, Sean Connery and Ingrid Bergman. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards.
Along with Branagh, Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Mark Gordon will serve as producers on the project along with Michael Schaefer, Aditya Sood and Judy Hofflund. Michael Green of "Blade Runner" fame is in charge of the screenplay.
"Murder" is expected to start production in November in London. For additional details, watch the video below:
