Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Nine) is joining the all-star cast director Kenneth Branagh is assembling for 20th Century Fox‘s new feature film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s acclaimed mystery Murder on the Orient Express. This will be her second teaming with Johnny Depp after 2011’s smash Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
In addition to directing the film, Branagh, a five-time Academy Award-nominee, will star as detective Hercule Poirot. Johnny Depp portrays Ratchett, Michelle Pfeiffer is Mrs. Hubbard, and Daisy Ridley plays Mary Debenham.
Oscar winner Judi Dench portrays Princess Dragomiroff, while Lucy Boynton is Countess Andrenyi. Tom Bateman plays Bouc, acclaimed stage actor and Tony winner Derek Jacobi portrays Masterman, Michael Peņa is Marquez, Josh Gad is Hector McQueen and “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr. plays Doctor Arbuthnot.
Agatha Christie’s novel, published in 1934, is considered one of the most ingenious stories ever devised. It revolves around a murder onboard the famous train, and Belgian detective Hercule Poirot must solve the case – but there are a number of passengers who could potentially be the murderer.
Murder on the Orient Express begins production in November in London.
Ridley Scott (The Martian), Simon Kinberg (The Martian, X-Men: Days of Future Past), Mark Gordon (Steve Jobs) and Branagh will produce the film. Michael Schaefer, Aditya Sood and Judy Hofflund will also produce. Michael Green (Blade Runner 2) wrote the screenplay, with Steve Asbell overseeing the production for Fox. James Prichard and Hilary Strong, both of Agatha Christie Ltd., will executive produce.
(Photo Credit: WENN.com)
