Kenneth Branagh is someone I am always excited for. Wow, that sounds extremely sexual. It might be. He was rather do-able in HAMLET. Since moving on from THOR: THE DARK WORLD, Branagh has picked up another directing job that ain’t so shabby.
A few months ago, Branagh signed up to helm the next Jack Ryan film starring Chris Pine in the title role. The next installment will set the character up as, “a financial analyst living in Moscow who uncovers a terrorist plot.” We’ve known about the latest Ryan film for awhile now. The project has gone through some troubling times with budget cuts, directors dropping out, Pine’s schedule, and a redrafting of the script (due to the budget cuts). Despite these possible set backs, I have a feeling that Branagh will deliver a great product.
Being a bit of an overachiever, Branagh is now also in negotiations to play the role of the film’s villain, “Viktor Stazov, a financial wiz who, with the help of the Russian government, masterminds a plot to devalue American currency and thus destroy the U.S. economy.” The last time we saw the actor in a role was MY WEEK WITH MARILYN. It should be a treat to see Branagh as the antagonist. He’s a damn good actor.