20th Century Fox‘s new Murder on the Orient Express movie is adding a new star it is ensemble. Variety reports that Josh Gad is set to play Hector MacQueen. In the book, MacQueen serves as the secretary to Mr. Ratchett (Johnny Depp’s character). The Murder on the Orient Express movie cast is also set to include Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench, Leslie Odom, Michael Pena, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kenneth Branagh, who is also directing.
Agatha Christie’s original Murder on the Orient Express novel was published in 1934 and is often 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.
Branagh will play the Poirot rold in addition to directing and producing alongside Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, Mark Gordon, Michael Schaefer and Aditya Sood. Michael Green, who also worked with Scott on the upcoming Blade Runner sequel, is providing the screenplay, with Steve Asbell overseeing the production for Fox. James Prichard and Hilary Strong will both executive produce.
Although several TV versions have been made, Murder on the Orient Express was previously — and most famously — adapted by director Sidney Lumet in a lavish 1974 feature starring Albert Finney as Poirot along with Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Balsam and Michael York.
