Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer & Daisy Ridley Join Murder on the Orient Express

Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeifer and Daisy Ridley are joining director Kenneth Branagh's Agatha Christie adaptation Murder on the Orient Express. The seminal mystery novel has been adapted twice before, once in 1974 by legendary director Sidney Lumet, and again in 2001. With Branagh behind the lens, 20th Century Fox's latest take on Christie's unsettling tale of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot's (Branagh) discovery that someone has been killed—in his berth—and as the un-tracked snow outside the stopped train proves, the real murderer is still on board. Published in 1934, Murder on the Orient Express was widely considered to be Christie's most ingenious detective story. 

20th Century Fox said this in a press release: 

Depp portrays Ratchett; Pfeiffer is Mrs. Hubbard and 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, and Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. plays Doctor Arbuthnot. The ensemble is nearly complete, but there are still a few key roles left to cast.

Murder on the Orient Express begins production in November, in London.

Commented Kenneth Branagh: "Christie's 'Murder' is mysterious, compelling and unsettling. I'm honoured to have this fantastic group of actors bring these dark materials to life for a new audience”.

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.

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.

Featured image: John Boyega and Daisy Ridley in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens.' Courtesy Walt Disney Studios