‘Murder On The Orient Express’ Movie Updates: Angelina Jolie Exits Director Kenneth Branagh’s Film, Charlize Theron Eyed for Leading Role as Replacement

‘Murder on the Orient Express’ will not feature Angelina Jolie in the lead role after the actress exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. Charlize Theron is reportedly eyed as Jolie’s replacement.

According to Comingsoon.net, development on Branagh’s upcoming film based on Agatha Christie’s detective novel of the same name has suffered another delay. Jolie, who was originally attached to star in the lead role, reportedly dropped out of the project. It was previously reported that the Academy Award-winning actress and filmmaker was in early negotiations with 20th Century Fox.

Jolie’s departure from the project was attributed to scheduling conflicts, according to The Mirror. A production insider revealed, "We're scheduled to start filming November 21st and finish at the end of February 2017… The dates are inflexible because of Kenneth's theatre commitments. 60 days of shooting across England and Malta means it's going to be hard going, perhaps that'll be tough for Ange and her family."

Following Jolie’s departure, the studio is now looking for another big Hollywood name to step in as her replacement. According to Variety, Charlize Theron is one of the actresses in consideration for the role. The Oscar-winner proved herself to be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents, garnering critical acclaim for her performances on several full-feature films.

Theron is best known for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Patty Jenkins’ 2004 crime-drama film ‘Monster’ where she received multiple accolades including an Academy Award for Best Actress, a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.

The 41-year old South African-American actress also worked on other critically-acclaimed films such as 1997’s ‘The Devil’s Advocate’, 1999’s ‘The Cider House Rules’,  2003’s ‘The Italian Job’, 2009’s ‘The Road’, and 2015’s ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. She is also popular for her involvement in various activist groups as well as being a United Nations ambassador. Theron’s involvement in ‘Murder On the Orient Express’ is yet to be confirmed.

Kenneth Branagh is set to direct and star in the live-action adaptation of Christie’s iconic detective novel published in 1934. The original book is considered one of the best detective stories in literature.

It was first adapted on the big screen in 1974 and starred Albert Finney as main protagonist Hercule Poirot. The film was a box office success after earning a total domestic gross of $27.63 million upon its release. It also received critical acclaim and was hailed one of the best adaptations of Christie’s original work to date.

‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is a planned live-action adaptation of the iconic novel of the same name. It will be directed by Kenneth Branagh, who is also starring as Hercule Poirot. It is currently scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 22, 2017.