Angelina Jolie Disembarks From MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Back in June, we heard - and reported! - that Angelina Jolie was in talks to join Kenneth Branagh's Murder On The Orient Express. Today we learned it ain't gonna happen.

Via Variety:

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. 

It seems like these "so-and-so is circling such-and-such project" stories usually tend to pan out (if these casting reports make their way into one of the trades, it's usually because someone wanted them there), but this appears to be one that won't. 

Oh, well! With Branagh directing (in addition to starring as Hercule Poirot, the detective at the heart of the story), there's every reason to believe the casting on this thing will be meticulous. Variety says the production is now chasing Charlize Theron, which certainly speaks to my hunch that this will end up being a star-studded affair. 

Fingers crossed!