One of the ongoing questions this month regarding Kenneth Branagh’s reboot of the Tom Clancy-spawned Jack Ryan series has been who would be cast as the female lead. Whoever landed the part was to be given a three-picture deal and the opportunity to work with one of the industry’s premiere directors which made this a juicy role that a handful of Hollywood’s leading ladies turned out for.
Today’s news is that the part has gone to Pirates of the Caribbean alumna and often-serious player Keira Knightley, beating out Evangeline Lilly, Felicity Jones, Kate Beckinsale, and Jessica Biel who were each in the running at one point or another. Heat Vision reports she is currently in negotiations for the role that can presumably be seen on the big screen late next year. They go on to suggest that the actress was Branagh’s first choice.
Knightley will be joining a cast that already includes Chris Pine and Kenneth Branagh. Kevin Costner was recently offered a part, but it is a bit unclear if he actually went ahead and picked it up just yet. Look for the film to land within the next two years.
Of course, audiences will not have to wait until them to catch the actress in another feature as she is set to play the title role in Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina which hits theaters this November.
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‘Jack Reacher’ Director To Sign On For ‘Jack Ryan’ Spin-Off With Cross-Over Potential