Actor and director Sir Kenneth Branagh is set to play detective Hercule Poirot in a new film version of Murder On The Orient Express.
Sir Kenneth will also direct and produce the film, which is based on the 1934 Agatha Christie novel about the Belgian detective and his attempts to find out who murdered fellow train passenger Mr Ratchett.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the celebrated actor – who was announced to direct the film – will actually be doing double duty, also playing the starring role.
The Emmy and Bafta-Award winning actor is best known for his Shakespearean acting. He has also starred in Frankenstein (1994), Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) and Cinderella (2015).
Legendary fictional detective Poirot appeared in 33 of Christie’s novels, with Murder On The Orient Express being one of her most-adapted stories.
Poirot was played by Albert Finney in the 1974 film version, earning him an Oscar nomination. David Suchet played the character in the British TV series, while John Moffatt starred in the 90s radio version on BBC Radio 4.
Sir Kenneth, 54, will be joined by Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, Mark Gordon, Michael Shaefer and Aditya Sood as producers. Blade Runner 2 writer Michael Green is writing the screenplay.
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