Just a couple of days ago, word arrived that Matt Damon was circling a role in Zhang Yimou’s new planned Chinese epic The Great Wall. Things certainly appear to be moving, as Deadline now reports that Bryan Cranston is also in early talks to join the film.
Legendary Pictures boss Thomas Tull is backing this one, and the film has been in development for a couple of years now, originally with Ed Zwick writing and directing. Since then, it’s been through a couple of script drafts – Tony Gilroy is behind the most recent – and Yimou is the man in charge of calling the shots.
The epic tale is still largely under wraps, though it’s expected to tell the story of how chunks of the wall came to be built across several generations in northern China. Originally constructed to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire in the 5th century BC, it has since been modified, demolished and rebuilt several times up until 16th century. There’s a lot of history to pack in, so we expect the pic will focus on one or two specific periods.
Damon is trying to see if he can fit it into his schedule; there are no details yet on which characters he or Cranston would play. Presumably there is some sort of framing device that will explain what the heck two American guys are doing in China. Maybe the whole thing will flashback from an archaeological gig? Maybe Damon and Cranston will play Marco Polo and company? Other theories below please.
The Godzilla and Breaking Bad actor, meanwhile, has been busy on Broadway in All The Way and is currently shooting Dalton Trumbo pic Trumbo.