Death on the Nile is an upcoming mystery thriller film directed by Kenneth Branagh, with a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. Produced by Branagh, Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, Judy Hofflund, Mark Gordon and Kevin J. Walsh, the film is a follow-up to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express and stars Branagh returning as Hercule Poirot, along with Tom Bateman (also returning from the first film), Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright. The film is the third screen adaptation of Christie’s novel, following the 1978 film and an episode of the television series Agatha Christie’s Poirot broadcast in 2004.
Principal photography began in September 2019, with filming taking place at Longcross Studios in England and on location in Morocco, and wrapped that December.
The film is set to be theatrically released on February 11, 2022 by 20th Century Studios. Its release has been delayed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premise
The peace and tranquility that was temporarily existent on the S.S. Karnak is destroyed after one of the passengers is found murdered. Renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is entrusted with the important task of identifying which one of the passengers is the killer before they strike again.
Cast
- Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot
- Tom Bateman as Bouc
- Annette Bening as Euphemia Bouc
- Russell Brand as Dr. Linus Windlesham
- Ali Fazal as Andrew Katchadourian
- Dawn French as Mrs. Bowers
- Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle
- Armie Hammer as Simon Doyle
- Rose Leslie as Louise Bourget
- Emma Mackey as Jacqueline de Bellefort
- Sophie Okonedo as Salome Otterbourne
- Jennifer Saunders as Marie Van Schuyler
- Letitia Wright as Rosalie Otterbourne
- Ann Turkel as Meredith Wilson
Production
Development
In 2015, Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard, chairman of Agatha Christie Limited, expressed enthusiasm for sequels, citing the positive collaboration with Branagh and the production team. In May 2017, Branagh expressed interest in further installments if the first film were successful. On November 20, 2017, it was announced that 20th Century Studios was developing Death on the Nile as a sequel to their version of Murder on the Orient Express with Michael Green returning to pen the script and Kenneth Branagh set to return on camera as Poirot, and behind the camera as director.
In September 2018, Gal Gadot joined the cast. In addition, Paco Delgado was hired to design the costumes. In October 2018, Armie Hammer joined the cast, and Tom Bateman was confirmed to reprise his role as Bouc for the film. In January 2019, Jodie Comer had joined the cast. In April 2019, Letitia Wright joined the cast. Annette Bening was in talks to join in June. Russell Brand joined the cast in August 2019. Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo and Jennifer Saunders were added in September, with Comer no longer involved.
Filming
Principal photography began on September 30, 2019, at Longcross Studios in Surrey, England, and then moved to Morocco despite original reports of filming in Egypt. A boat was recreated, as well as the Temple Of Abu Simbel. The Tiffany Yellow Diamond was used for the film. Shooting lasted until December 18, 2019.
Post-production
Úna Ní Dhonghaíle served as the editor for Death on the Nile. Double Negative (DNEG) provided the visual effects for the film, with Academy Award-winning special effects artist George Murphy as the overall visual effects supervisor. Additional VFX were provided by Lola VFX and Raynault VFX.
In January 2019, Patrick Doyle, a frequent collaborator on Branagh’s films, was announced as the composer for the film.
Release
Death on the Nile is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on February 11, 2022, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the 20th Century Studios label.