The classic Agatha Christie story, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, is being brought into the 21st century thanks to director Kenneth Branagh and an enormous cast of talented thespians. On the docket, to name a few, are Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Leslie Odom Jr., Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Josh Gad and Branagh himself in the lead role. EW got their hands on a bevy of images from the movie, and now they’re here to get you in the mood for good old fashioned mysteries and mustaches.
Branagh as Hercule Poirot: "He has a military background, he’s a former policeman, and so there's a kind of action-man quality to him," says Branagh.
Pfeiffer as Caroline Hubbard: "She is a loudmouth and a busybody — into everybody's business. One might describe her as the Ugly American," Pfeiffer says
Colman as Hildegarde Schmidt and Dench as Princess Dragomiroff, a Russian who "plays at being helpless but makes you feel there is more to her than meets the eye.” Colman’s character is described by Branagh as "the put-upon maid of Princess Dragomiroff. But she is a highly observant individual who surprises Poirot."
Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Marquez, Ridley as Mary Debenham and Odom as Doctor Arbuthnot. For the doctor, Branagh describes him as someone who "you believe your life should be safe in his hands." However, "He may or may not be what he seems." Ridley describes her character as “pretty forward-thinking.”
Depp as the rich man, Edward Ratchett: “He's paranoid, haunted, and lethal. Ratchett is a very dangerous man," says Branagh. Gad as Hector MacQueen, who works for Depp's character: "I'm a numbers guy and that comes in handy. But there’s a lot going on beneath that,” says Gad.
Cruz as Greta Ohlsson: "She describes herself as a missionary. But she's got hands like a boxer’s and is no stranger to the rougher parts of the world,” Branagh says.
So far everyone is looking appropriately mysterious and deceptive, two ingredients that make for a classic whodunnit. The movie is set to debut in November in time for the Oscars, so if the production values are rich in detail and the costumes are top-notch we could be looking at some technical awards. If the story and cast live up to the heights we all know they're capable that could mean some higher-level awards are up for grabs too. With a cast like this there's no reason the movie shouldn't be spectacular, so no pressure, gang.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS pull into theaters November 10.