After the success of its latest Agatha Christie film adaption, Murder on the Orient Express, Twentieth Century Fox has set its sights on another Christie novel, Death on the Nile. According to Deadline, Fox has signed Armie Hammer to star in the film alongside Kenneth Branagh and Gal Gadot.
Death on the Nile was initially published in 1937. The narrative follows the exploits of Poirot, a recurring character in many Agatha Christie novels who is tasked to investigate the murder of an heiress on his vacation. While on a luxurious cruise liner in Egypt, Poirot’s investigation leads him to meet many colorful characters who also begin to perish as he gets ever closer to the identity of the killer.
Gadot will portray Linnet Doyle, the lovely heiress who is murdered, while Branagh reprises his role as the perceptive detective Hercule Poirot. Although Branagh will star in the film, he also serves double-duty as director. Michael Green, who adapted Murder on the Orient Express, is also back to adapt the Death on the Nile script.
With a release date of December 20, 2019 already announced, Fox expects to begin production next spring.