During this past summer, Moonrise Kingdom surprised a whole lot of people with its rock star reviews and box office cachet. The Wes Anderson-directed feature found $63.4 million worldwide on a budget of a mere $16 million thanks in part to the picture’s stellar ensemble inclusive of Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Frances McDormand. Naturally, the focus became Anderson’s next picture more so than ever before in the helmer’s entire career and who might be attached to play the lead.
Initial speculation was the Johnny Depp would be taking center stage in the project, but things did not work out. Whether it was The Lone Ranger obligations or preparation for the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie (which is yet to be announced) no one knows for sure; however, it has become quite clear that a new lead would be needed for this follow-up effort from Anderson entitled The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Long story short (too late,) the gig is now likely going to Skyfall and Harry Potter actor Ralph Fiennes. The actor is now in negotiations for the big role and is expected to eventually join this light-hearted effort. Additional stars of the film are Jude Law, Bill Murray, and Owen Wilson. Given the love of Anderson, we expect some more notables to show up, but for now today’s news will have to be enough.
Other upcoming projects for Fiennes that are non-Bond or Anderson related include Great Expectations and The Invisible Woman. The actor actually directed himself in the latter which is now in post-production.