The latest film targeted for an update is 1973's Papillon, which already has Charlie Hunnam in the lead role. Now Mr. Robot star Rami Malek will join him in the cast.
Prisoners writer Aaron Guzikowski is responsible for the script, which will, like the '70s film, be based on a memoir by Henri “Papillon” Charriere, played in the original by Steve McQueen. It tells the story of his life as a petty criminal in 1930s France who is unjustly convicted of murder and sent packing to a penal colony that has a bad reputation for violence and corruption.
It’s there that Charriere meets the nerdy but wealthy Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), who in return for protection agrees to fund his friend’s prison escape. Malek is taking on the Dega role, which would seem to be a good match for his nervy energy on screen.
Danish director Michael Noer is attached to make the new movie, which should start shooting next month. Malek is back on screens in the second series of Mr. Robot and has also worked on indie mystery drama Buster's Mal Heart.