Gal GadotandArmie Hammerhave joined the cast of 20th Century Fox’sDeath on the Nile,Kenneth Branagh’s sequel to last year’s hit whodunitMurder on the Orient Express, Collider has confirmed.
Branagh has been busy assembling a new A-list ensemble for his adaptation of theAgatha Christienovel, which likeOrient Express, was previously adapted for the big screen in the ’70s withPeter Ustinovstarring alongsideMia Farrow,Bette Davis,George Kennedy,Angela Lansbury,Maggie SmithandJack Warden, among others.
Branagh will return as Hercule Poirot, who is called to investigate a series of murders aboard a luxurious cruise ship that he just so happens to be on. I’ve used my Poirot-like powers of detection to learn that Gadot and Hammer will be among the suspects – and possibly the victims, if they aren’t careful! Seriously though, per IMDb, Gadot will be playing Linnet Ridgeway Doyle, the character originated byLois Chilesin the 1978 film.
Simon Kinberg,Ridley ScottandMark Gordonare producing this iteration ofDeath on the Nilealong withJudy HofflundandKevin Walsh.Orient ExpressscribeMichael Greenreturned to write the script, and production is slated to begin in the spring of 2019, as the film will dock in theaters on Aug 12, 2025 – the same day thatStar Wars: Episode IXis slated to hit theaters (and theCatsmovie, too). Its predecessor grossed $352.8 million worldwide, proving to have strong legs through the holiday movie season.
Hammer recently co-starred inBoots Riley’sSorry to Bother You, and he’ll soon be seen oppositeFelicity JonesinMimi Leder’sRuth Bader GinsbergbiopicOn the Basis of Sex.He also has two thrillers on the horizon – the fact-basedHotel Mumbai, and an untitled Annapurna film fromUnder the ShadowdirectorBabak Anvari.
Gadot will soon be heard in Disney’s animated sequelRalph Breaks the Internet, and she next stars inWonder Woman 1984. She’s also set to star oppositeDwayne Johnsonin the international action-thrillerRed Notice. She and Hammer are both represented by WME. Deadline broke both castings.
