Angelina Jolie has decided not to star in ‘Murder On The Orient Express’.
The ‘By the Sea’ actress had been in early talks with 20th Century Fox about appearing in the adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel, which is being directed Sir Kenneth Branagh, but Variety reports that she has now decided to pass on the project.
Charlize Theron is one of the stars who is being considered as a replacement.
Along with directing, Branagh will produce and play the lead character, detective Hercule Poirot.
‘Blade Runner Two’s scriptwriter Michael Green is penning the screenplay for the movie, which revolves around a killing on the famous train.
It is up to Belgian detective Poirot to solve the case, with a number of passengers in the frame as the murderer.
It was previously claimed the movie will be a remake of Sidney Lumet’s 1974 film, which starred Albert Finney as Poirot, who was investigating the murder of an American tycoon. Those playing the suspects included Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman – who picked up a Best Supporting Actress Oscar – Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York.
The popular story was also depicted in a 2001 TV show which starred Alfred Molina and Leslie Caron.
Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Mark Gordon will all produce the movie with Branagh, while James Prichard, Christie’s great grandson and chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd., and Hilary Strong, CEO at Agatha Christie Ltd., will executive produce.
Angelina Jolie passes on Murder On The Orient Express
