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After first taking the train, Twentieth Century Fox is now readying to hop on a riverboat cruise.

On the heels of Murder on the Orient Express, Fox is staying in the Agatha Christie business by putting into development Death on the Nile, its next Hercule Poirot mystery.

Michael Green, who wrote Orient Express, is penning the script and while there is no deal currently in place, five-time Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh is expected to return as director and reprise his role as Poirot.

Nile, first published in 1937, saw the detective on a vacation in Egypt and becoming involved in a love triangle gone murderously bad. The novel once again featured socialites, social climbers and high society’s help in the cast.

Just as Orient Express had been adapted into an all-star 1970s movie featuring Peter Ustinov as Poirot, so too was Nile. The 1978 movie featured Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, Maggie Smith, Angela Landsbury and David Niven, among others. The story remains one of Christie’s most popular works.

Orient Express, which was made for $55 million, has choo-chooed its way to almost $150 million worldwide since its Nov. 10 opening.

The movie was produced by Branagh as well as Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon, Simon Kinberg, Judy Hofflund and Michael Schaefer.

Steve Asbell is overseeing for Fox.

Green, who co-created the American Gods televisions show, also worked on Logan and Alien: Covenant for Fox. He also wrote Blade Runner: 2049.

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Just as Orient Express had been adapted into an all-star 1970s movie featuring Peter Ustinov as Poirot, so too was Nile.

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After the success of Murder on the Orient Express, Kenneth Branagh will return as Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot in Death on the Nile, which 20th Century Fox has set for a November 8, 2019 release. James Bond 25 and Noelle are also scheduled for that date.

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Gal Gadot has been set to star in Death On the Nile, the latest Agatha Christie adaptation set up at 20th Century Fox with Kenneth Branagh directing. The project came together last year as the studio was finding success with its Christie ensemble Murder on the Orient Express. The pic ended up grossing $352.8 million worldwide with Branagh at the helm and also playing master detective Hercule Poirot.

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Fox has already set a December 20, 2019 release date for Death on the Nile, which Christie published in 1937. It centers on Poirot investigating a murder during a luxurious cruise on the Nile River that he just happens to be on. But just as he identifies a motley collection of would-be murderers, several of the suspects also meet their demise, which only deepens the mystery. Michael Green, who also adapted Orient Express, is the screenwriter.

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After co-starring in Murder on the Orient Express, Tom Bateman is set to return as Bouc in 20th Century Fox feature adaptation of Death on the Nile, which will now be released October 2, 2020, instead of December 20, 2019.

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Letitia Wright has booked her first non-Marvel studio film since breaking out in last year’s box-office smash Black Panther.

The 25-year-old Brit, who raced to the top of many casting director’s most-wanted lists after her scene-sealing portrayal of Princess Shuri, has landed a central role in Fox’s adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic Death on the Nile, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Wright is set to star alongside Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Killing Eve breakout Jodie Comer and Kenneth Branagh, who agains directs following 2018’s Murder on the Orient Express, while also reprising his role as the mustachioed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The film is due to start filming towards the end of September.

Wright will play Rosalie Otterbourne, a lead suspect in the story, which follows Poirot as he attempts to unravel the murder of a young heiress while on holiday in Egypt. Olivia Hussey played the character in the 1978 adaptation, starring Peter Ustinov and Mia Farrow.

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Production is under way in the UK on Twentieth Century Fox movie Death On The Nile, the mystery-thriller based on the book by Agatha Christie.
The film will shoot at Longcross Studios outside London and on location in Egypt. Pic reunites the team of filmmakers behind 2017 hit Murder on the Orient Express.

Kenneth Branagh returns as director and once again stars as famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. He is joined by an all-star cast of suspects which includes: Tom Bateman (who reprises the role of Bouc from Murder on the Orient Express), Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders and Letitia Wright.

Screenplay for the film, adapted from Christie’s 1937 novel, is once again written by Michael Green with Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon, Simon Kinberg, Kenneth Branagh and Judy Hofflund returning as producers. Matthew Jenkins and James Prichard return as executive producers. Pic will be released on October 9, 2020.

In Death on the Nile, Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian adventure aboard a glamorous river steamer descends into a search for a murderer when an idyllic honeymoon is shattered by violent deaths.

“Crimes of passion are dangerously sexy,” said Branagh. “Agatha Christie has written a riveting story of emotional chaos and violent criminality and Michael Green has once again written a screenplay to match. With a cherished group of long-time artistic collaborators and a brilliant international cast, it is truly a pleasure to join Disney, Fox and Agatha Christie, Ltd. in bringing this daring thriller to the big screen. There are significant new twists, an awe-inspiring desert landscape and a chance to celebrate big screen entertainment in glorious 65 millimetre celluloid!”

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