Mortal Engines has just gained three new cast members. The upcoming Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh adaptation of the British series of novels has cast Stephen Lang (Avatar), South Korean singer and actress Jihae (Mars), and Leila George (Mother, May I Sleep With Danger?), according to THR. They’ll join the previously-cast Robbie Sheehan (Fortitude, upcoming Geostorm) and Ronan Raftery (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, AMC’s upcoming The Terror) and Hera Hilmar (Da Vinci’s Demons).
Here is the official synopsis for the film: “Mortal Engines is set in a world many thousands of years in the future. Earth’s cities now roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for ever diminishing resources. On one of these massive Traction Cities, Tom Natsworthy has an unexpected encounter with a mysterious young woman from the Outlands who will change the course of his life forever.”
Stephen Lang’s character remains a mystery. Jihae will play Anna Fang, “a member of the violent league that fights against the mobile cities.” George will play Katherine Valentine, “the daughter of one of the most powerful men in London society and one who is trying to get his hands on a weapon of mass destruction.” Sheehan will play Natsworthy, Hilmar will play Hester Shaw, and Raftery will play Bevis Pod.
Jackson and Walsh optioned the rights from Scholastic several years ago. They’ve co-written the screenplay with collaborator Philippa Boyens (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies). The film is based on the award-winning book series from author Philip Reeve and will be directed by Christian Rivers. Rivers has worked with Jackson for over two decades as a story board artist, on visual effects and as a Splinter Unit Director on The Hobbit trilogy. He won the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects for his work on King Kong, though this his directorial debut. MRC and Universal are co-financing the film. Universal will also serve as worldwide distributor.
Mortal Engines will hit theaters on December 14, 2018. Are you guys excited for the film? Let us know in the comments.
(Photo by Brad Barket / Getty Images for Lifetime)
