After spending the past few years bringing to lifethe works ofAgatha Christieand embodying her signature detective Hercule Poirot,Kenneth Branaghis now set to play the role of another famed English novelist -Charles Dickens. Branagh has been tapped to leadTheKing of Kings, an animated,faith-based filmfrom the South Korean studio Mofac Animation inspired by the life of Dickens and his family as well as his short story “The Life of Our Lord,” published in 1934 well after his death. He’ll be joined byUma ThurmanandJojo RabbitbreakoutRoman Griffin Davisas the writer’s wifeCatherine Dickensand youngest sonWalter Dickens.
The King of Kingswillblend the story of the Dickens family with that of Jesus Christ, following Charles during a difficult period in his life as he balances a burgeoning writing career with being a good father to his children, namely young Walter. After receiving some advice from his wife, he reaches out to his “king”- obsessed son to connect with him over a shared interest in Jesus using his short story. Together, Charles and Walter set off on an enlightening journey, along with their cat Willa, as they immerse themselves in the religious tale. Prolific South Korean filmmakerSeong-ho “Jay” Jangdirects the feature and penned the script withThePrincess and the Frogco-writerRob Edwards.
The Oscar-winning Branagh enters the Dickens-centric tale coming off a much bloodier and less family-friendly animated hit,Blue Eye Samurai, wherehe played the villainous Abijah Fowler, whomMaya Erskine’s Mizu hunts down. He’s also fresh off another Christie adaptation in the horror-tingedA Haunting in Veniceand enjoyed a role inOppenheimer. Thurman, meanwhile, had a strong year as well, with the starryThe Kill Roomandsweet and sizzling LGBTQ+ rom-comRed, White & Royal Blueamong the most recent credits for the Academy Award-nominee. Coupled with Davis, the much-lauded Critic’s Choice Award winner forJojo Rabbit, who now has roles lined up oppositeBill NighyandNick Frostin500 Milesand152 Daysrespectively, among other things, the group makes for a rock-solid foundation of talent forThe King of Kingsto build on.
‘The King of Kings’ Promises More Big Announcements as Production Continues
Production on the animated faith-centric family feature is in its final stages, though Mofac Animation has yet to find a distributor. As work begins to wrap up, producerAnfernee Kimpromised more enticing casting announcements are on the horizon to round everything out. They have faith, however, thatthe core trio alone will be able to help audiences deeply connect with the story of Jesus and the Dickens family. “It is through the Dickens family that our audience experiences the life of Jesus Christ, and Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, and Roman Griffin Davis bring all the emotion, awe, heart, and gravitas to these essential characters,” Kim said. “These three actors are at the core of our story, and anchor a truly impressive cast – many of whom we look forward to sharing in the near future.”
There’s no release date yet forThe King of Kings.
Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the film as the cast is unveiled and work nears its end.A Haunting in Veniceis streaming now on Hulu in the U.S.
A Haunting in Venice
In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.
Watch on Hulu
