Ben Affleck Directing, Starring in ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ Remake
Ben Affleck is in talks with Fox to direct and star in a remake of courthouse drama “Witness for the Prosecution.”
Christopher Keyser will write the script, and Affleck will produce with Matt Damon, Jennifer Todd and the Agatha Christie estate.
The 1957 adaptation of the Agatha Christie short story, directed by Billy Wilder, starred Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton. It was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Laughton and Best Supporting Actress for Lanchester.
Set in the Old Bailey in London, Laughton plays a lawyer who represents a man (Power) accused of murdering a rich widow who had become enamored with him and made him the main beneficiary of her will.
Affleck directed Oscar best picture winner “Argo” and is in post-production on “Live by Night” for Warner Bros. He’s also directing the standalone Batman movie for Warner Bros.
Affleck is an executive producer on “Justice League” for Warner Bros. and stars in Gavin O’Connor’s “The Accountant,” which Warner Bros. opens on Oct. 14.
Keyser is the executive producer of the FX series “Tyrant.” He co-created the TV series “Party of Five” and served two terms as president of the Writers Guild of America West between 2011 and 2015.
“Witness for the Prosecution” is the second Fox movie project based on a Christie story. The studio has Kenneth Branaugh directing and starring in a remake of Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” with Leslie Odom Jr. is talks to star.
“Witness for the Prosecution” was remade into a TV movie in 1982, starring Ralph Richardson, Deborah Kerr, Beau Bridges, Donald Pleasence, Wendy Hiller and Diana Rigg.
Affleck is represented by WME, while Keyser is repped by CAA. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Related stories
HBO Cancels 'Project Greenlight'
'Justice League' Trailer Surprises Comic-Con (Watch)
Ben Affleck Goes on Expletive-Laden Deflategate Rant on Bill Simmons' New HBO Show
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
