PHOTO: FILE
Angelina Jolie Pitt will not star in Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express remake, reported Variety. The Oscar-winning actor never signed a deal to appear in the film, although she was reported as being in early talks and was in negotiations to join the cast, according to sources close to her.
With Jolie Pitt passing, the studio is now trying to get a number of other big stars, with Charlize Theron among the female actors being considered. In addition to directing, Branagh will star as detective Hercule Poirot. Blade Runner 2 writer Michael Green is penning the screenplay for the upcoming film.
The remake is based on one of Agatha Christie’s best known books. First published in 1934 it revolves around a murder of an American businessman onboard the famous train. The film follows Poirot as he tries to figure out which passenger is the murderer.
Sidney Lumet previously made a version of Christie’s novel in 1974 with Albert Finney as Poirot. The all-star list of suspects included Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, earning Bergman, who portrayed a Swedish missionary, an Oscar. It was also a commercial success.
Jolie Pitt is slated to appear in Maleficent 2 and will direct First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers for Netflix. Branagh will produce the film with Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Mark Gordon. Theron’s recent starring roles include Mad Max: Fury Road and The Huntsman: Winter’s War.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2016.
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