Kenneth Branagh will do double duty on Fox’s new adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. The studio today that it’s official: Branaugh will direct the feature. TCF president Emma Watts also made the surprise announcement that Branaugh will step in front of the camera as well in the role of detective Hercule Poirot.

Poirot, the fastidious Belgian detective, is one of Christie's most enduring characters, appearing in 33 of her novels, which lends the new film franchise potential. Poirot was played by Albert Finney, who was nominated for a best actor Oscar, in the 1974 film version of Orient Express. David Suchet played the character on British TV for more than 20 years. In Orient Express, Poirot is called upon to solve a murder aboard the famous train.

Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, Mark Gordon and Branagh will produce the film, along with Michael Schaefer and Aditya Sood. Michael Green (Blade Runner 2) is writing the screenplay. Steve Asbell is overseeing the production for Fox.

Branagh, repped by WME and Berwick & Kovacik, last appeared on screen in 2014's Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and last directed this year's Cinderella.

Angelina Jolie is in early talks to board Fox’s remake of “Murder on the Orient Express.”

Fellow actor/director Kenneth Branagh is helming the film, in addition to starring as Hercule Poirot. The producers are Branagh, Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Mark Gordon. Michael Schaefer and Aditya Sood will also produce in some capacity.

Michael Green (“Blade Runner 2”) is writing the screenplay based on Agatha Christie’s novel, with Steve Asbell overseeing the production for Fox.

Christie’s book, published in 1934, revolves around a murder onboard the famous train. The film follows Belgian detective Poirot who’s tasked with solving the case in which a number of passengers could potentially be the murderer.

Variety reported in 2013 that Fox was developing the project as a remake of Sidney Lumet’s 1974 movie, which starred Albert Finney as the genius detective investigating the murder of an American tycoon aboard the train. The cast of included Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York.

“Orient Express” was a commercial success, grossing $35 million in the U.S. It was also nominated for six Academy Awards, earning Bergman, who portrayed a Swedish missionary, her third Oscar her first in the supporting category.

Christie’s novel was adapted again for a 2001 CBS show starring Alfred Molina and Leslie Caron.

Branagh’s directing credits include “Henry V,” “Thor” and “Cinderella.”

Jolie starred in and directed Universal’s 2015 drama “By the Sea” opposite spouse Brad Pitt.

The news about “Orient Express” was first reported by the Daily Mail.

Angelina Jolie Pitt will not star in Kenneth Branagh’s “Murder on the Orient Express” remake, Variety has learned.

The Oscar-winning actress never signed a deal to appear in the film, although she was reported as being in early talks and was in negotiations to join the cast, according to knowledgeable individuals. With Jolie Pitt passing, the studio is now trying to interest a number of other big name stars, with Charlize Theron among the actresses being considered.

In addition to directing, Branagh will star as detective Hercule Poirot. Michael Green (“Blade Runner 2”) is writing the screenplay based on Agatha Christie’s novel, with Steve Asbell overseeing the production for Fox.

The film is based on one of Christie’s best known books. First published in 1934 it revolves around a murder of an American businessman onboard the famous train. The film follows Poirot as he tries to figure out which passenger is the murderer.

Leslie Odom Jr. is in talks to join the cast of Kenneth Branagh’s remake of “Murder on the Orient Express” at Fox, Variety has learned.

Branagh will star as detective Hercule Poirot in addition to directing. Michael Green (“Blade Runner 2”) is writing the screenplay based on Agatha Christie’s novel, with Steve Asbell overseeing the production for Fox.

The film is based on one of Christie’s best known books, which was first published in 1934 and revolves around a murder of an American businessman on board the famous train — with multiple suspects.

Sidney Lumet’s 1974 version starred Albert Finney as Poirot and the cast included Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards and earned Bergman an Oscar.

Branagh will produce the film with Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Mark Gordon. Michael Schaefer and Aditya Sood will also produce in some capacity. James Prichard, the author’s great grandson and chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd., and Hilary Strong, CEO at Agatha Christie Ltd., will executive produce.

Odom won the Tony Award this year for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.” He departed the Broadway production last month.

Odom also appeared in the 2012 film “Red Tails.” He is repped by CAA.

British actor Tom Bateman is in negotiations to join Fox's adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express.

Kenneth Branagh is directing the mystery ensemble film, which has Leslie Odom Jr. attached.

The classic Christie story centers on special detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh), who boards a train from Jerusalem to Europe only to have a murder committed in the car next to his during a snowstorm. Poirot tries to discover the murderer or murderers before there's another victim.

Bateman will play Bouc, Poirot's companion and sidekick, who works at the train company that runs the Orient Express.

The Fox film, set for release on Nov. 22, 2017, is being produced by Branagh, Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Mark Gordon. Aditya Sood and Michael Schaefer are executive producing.

Bateman, who next will be seen in the untitled Amy Schumer comedy that Jonathan Levine is directing, had previously worked with Branagh on The Winter's Tale alongside Judi Dench on the West End in London, and so the director brought him in for Murder on the Orient Express. Bateman also previously starred on the British series Jekyll & Hyde. He is repped by CAA, United Agents in the U.K. and attorney Patti Felker.

Branagh says his adaptation, which is expected to put together an all-star cast (he was interested in Angelina Jolie but a deal never came together; other names of interest but not officially attached include Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer), will bring to the screen her depth of character and story rather than any cliched "kind of parlor game."