Leslie Odom Jr. in talks to board 'Murder on the Orient Express'

Murder on the Orient Express (2017) type Movie genre Mystery

Drama

Leslie Odom Jr. may soon be headed to the train car where it happens.

The former Hamilton star is in talks to join Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express, EW has learned.

Branagh is directing and starring as detective Hercule Poirot in Fox’s adaptation of the bestselling Agatha Christie mystery, which follows Poirot as he attempts to solve the murder of an American businessman on the train (while investigating multiple suspects/passengers). The book famously first came to the big screen in 1974, and director Sidney Lumet’s version starred Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Sean Connery, and Anthony Perkins. It was nominated for six Academy Awards.

Michael Green, who co-created the upcoming American Gods TV series and wrote the new Blade Runner sequel, penned the new Murder on the Orient Express script. Previously, Angelina Jolie was in talks to join the cast, but she has since left the project.

Odom Jr. originated the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway hit Hamilton, earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In June, he released his self-titled debut album, and last month, he left Hamilton. Odom Jr. has appeared frequently on television shows like Person of Interest and Smash, but if the Murder on the Orient Express deal closes, it will be only his second feature film (after the 2012 movie Red Tails).

Fox declined to comment.

Variety first reported the news.

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