Actor Ben Affleck is reportedly preparing to direct, produce, and star in a big screen remake of Agatha Christie's short story "The Witness For The Prosecution" with his buddy Matt Damon. Christopher Keyser wrote the script.
According to Mirror, Affleck is signing a deal for the adaptation of the 23-page story "The Witness For The Prosecution." He is set to produce the film with Damon alongside Jennifer Todd and the Agatha Christie estate. Damon jokingly said that he would be happy to star in one of Affleck's films as long as his pal stayed behind the camera.
Affleck will also star in "The Witness for the Prosecution," but there is no news yet on which role he may play and no named potential co-stars.
"The Witness For The Prosecution" is set in 1920s London. It starts with the murder of rich and famous heiress Emily French. It is about a lawyer and his client Leonard Vole wrapped up in the murder case, as Digital Spy reported. In typical Christie fashion, there are plenty of twists and turns when Romaine, the wife of the accused man, is called upon to testify against him. All evidence points to the murderer being French's heir.
The last film adaptation of "The Witness For The Prosecution" was mostly famous in 1957. It starred Tyrone Power (Leonard Vole), Charles Laughton (Sir Wilfrid Robarts), and Marlene Dietrich (Christine/Romaine Vole). It earned a total of six Oscar nominations. It was directed by Billy Wilder.
BBC just recently announced that a two-part television version of "The Witness For The Prosecution" is already filming in Liverpool. This version has been adapted by Sarah Phelps. Billy Howle will play as Leonard. Andrea Riseborough will play as Romaine. Toby Jones will play as the solicitor John Mayhew, who defends Vole. Kim Cattrall will play as French.
"The Witness For The Prosecution" is not only the Christie project in development at Fox. The studio is working on the remake of "Murder on the Orient Express" that Kenneth Branagh will star and direct. Angelina Jolie was first rumored in June to star in the project but could not commit. Charlize Theron was reported as her potential replacement.
Affleck won an Academy Award in his last directed "Argo" in 2012. He is also directing the upcoming prohibition drama "Live by Night." He also recently confirmed that he will be directing the untitled "Batman" standalone movie for Warner Bros.
Watch the video trailer of "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957):
