Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr. Joins Kenneth Branagh’s Remake Of “Murder on the Orient Express”Posted by Wilson Morales
August 17, 2016
Source: Variety
According to Variety, former Hamilton cast member and Tony Award winner Leslie Odom Jr. is in talks to join the cast of Kenneth Branagh’s remake of “Murder on the Orient Express.”
20 Century Fox is producing in which Branagh will direct, co-produce and star as detective Hercule Poirot. Michael Green is writing the screenplay based on Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel.
Having concluded a case, detective Hercule Poirot settles into what he expects will be a relaxing journey home aboard the Orient Express. But when an unpopular billionaire is murdered en route, Poirot takes up the case, and everyone on board the famous train is a suspect. Using an avalanche blocking the tracks to his advantage, Poirot gradually realizes that many of the passengers have revenge as a motive, and he begins to home in on the culprit.
Sidney Lumet’s 1974 version starred Albert Finney as Poirot and the cast 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 and earned Bergman an Oscar.
The site states that Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Mark Gordon will produce the film along with Branagh. Michael Schaefer and Aditya Sood will also produce in some capacity. James Prichard, the author’s great grandson and chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd., and Hilary Strong, CEO at Agatha Christie Ltd., will executive produce.
Before he departed the Broadway production last month, Odom Jr. won the Tony Award this year for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.” The musical also took several Tony awards, including Best Musical.
Odom also appeared in the 2012 film “Red Tails,” which also starred David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, Terrence Howard, Michael B. Jordan and Ne-Yo.
