With Andy Serkis And Thomas Brodie-Sangster already locked in place for graphic novel adaptation Mouse Guard, Wes Ball's new film is adding an even more in-demand name to the cast. Idris Elba's in the midst of making a deal to co-star.
Mouse Guard, adapted by Gary Whitta, was originally published by Archaia and Boom! Studios. David Petersen's title is set in a medieval world and tells of an order of mice who are the sworn protectors of their realm, seeing off foxes, eagles and threats from other rodents. Think Stuart Little meets Game Of Thrones.
Elba will play Celanawe, an Obi-Wan Kenobi-like figure who was once a legendary champion and now thought long gone. Serkis is the villain of the piece, the Guard’s blacksmith known as Midnight who turns against it. Brodie-Sangster is Lieam, one of the Guard’s newest and youngest members who will be called upon to prove his bravery.
With Matt Reeves on as a producer, Mouse Guard's rodents and their foes will be brought to life via performance capture, with Weta handling the final visuals. The cameras should start rolling in May.
It's a busy old year for Elba, who will next be seen as the villain in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs And Shaw (out 2 August). He's also part of the ensemble for Cats, which will be out 20 December. Filming-wise, he'll be at work as Deadshot in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.
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