Patience, as they say, is a virtue.
When 20th Century Fox first announced a new, big-screen interpretation of Murder On the Orient Express, Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit of 1934, Ridley Scott (Alien: Covenant) initially flirted with the director’s chair, before Kenneth Branagh ultimately landed the coveted gig.
That was in 2015, when it was also announced that Branagh would take charge as Hercule Poirot, the greatest detective on the face of the planet whose genius is matched only by his magnificent ‘tache. Fast forward to the present day and Branagh’s commitment to the adaptation has been rewarded with what is arguably the most impressive ensemble of 2017.
Largely set on board the titular Orient Express, his crime-thriller has cast Johnny Depp in the role of American businessman and tycoon Mr. Ratchett, whose murder sparks a full-blown investigation. To make matters worse, a relentless snowstorm causes the serpentine vessel to grind to a halt somewhere between Istanbul – then known as Constantinople – and the French capital of Paris, and it’s here where Poirot, championed as the avenger of justice, begins to crack the case. And that’s a gripping mystery that begins to unfold within today’s chilling second trailer.
Standing in Poirot’s way are a host of potential suspects played by Michelle Pfeiffer (Mrs. Hubbard), Michael Pena (Marquez), Dame Judi Dench (Princess Dragomiroff), The Last Jedi‘s Daisy Ridley as Mary Debenham, and Leslie Odom Jr. (Doctor Arbuthnot). Beyond that, there are also roles for Josh Gad, Aquaman star Willem Dafoe, Penelope Cruz and Lucy Boynton.
Murder On the Orient Express is due to arrive in theaters on November 10th, and Kenneth Branagh has already expressed an interest in launching further instalments should the crime-thriller be considered a success. Those tentative sequel plans will no doubt hinge on the film’s box office performance, which may well be affected by the oncoming Justice League (November 17th).