Murder on the Orient Express is one of the most famous novels ever written by legendary British author Agatha Christie. First published in 1934, it tells the story of iconic fictional Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, as he investigates a murder that took place during a train journey from Istanbul to London.

Christie’s book has been adapted for the screen on several occasions. A 1974 film featuring an all-star cast including Sean Connery, Vanessa Redgrave and Ingrid Bergman was critically acclaimed, while a 2001 made-for-TV movie was less well-received.

But a new movie version of the novel looks set to impress. Variety reports that Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Johnny Depp and John Pena have all signed on to appear in a new reworking of Murder on the Orient Express – joining a starry ensemble cast that already includes legendary British stage actor Derek Jacobi and Jekyll & Hyde star Tom Bateman. 

Star Wars actress Ridley is set to play Mary Debenham, a woman in love with a stuffy English doctor, while Dench has been cast as Princess Dragomiroff, a member of the Russian aristocracy. Pfeiffer will star as Mrs Hubbard, a passenger with a secret.

Angelina Jolie was apparently also in negotiations to play Mrs Hubbard earlier this summer, but has since – understandably, given recent events – pulled out of the remake.

Read more: Agatha Christie's centenary celebrated with eerie noir postage stamps

Kenneth Branagh is set to take the lead role of Hercule Poirot, as well as directing the movie. The acclaimed British actor most recently directed Disney's 2015 live-action version of Cinderella, starring Lily James, and will also appear in WW2 movie Dunkirk in 2017, alongside Harry Styles and Tom Hardy.

“Christie’s Murder is mysterious, compelling, and unsettling,” Branagh said. “I’m honored to have this fantastic group of actors bring these dark materials to life for a new audience.”

Production on Murder on the Orient Express is set to begin this November. All aboard…