Kenneth Branagh Could End Up Building an Agatha Christie Cinematic Universe
It looks like there's a possibility that the latest big-screen adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express could be the start of an Agatha Christie cinematic universe. I actually thoroughly enjoyed Murder on the Orient Express and I'm looking forward to the sequel based on the novel Death on the Nile.
Director Kenneth Branagh is now saying that these films could very well open the door to the development of a cinematic universe based in the world that Christie has created in her novels. While talking with Associated Press, he talks about the possibility of it, saying:
"I think there are possibilities, aren’t there? With 66 books and short stories and plays, she — and she often brings people together in her own books actually, so innately — she enjoyed that. You feel as though there is a world — just like with Dickens, there’s a complete world that she’s created — certain kinds of characters who live in her world — that I think has real possibilities."
As of right now, there are no plans for this cinematic universe, but it's one of those things that wouldn't surprise me if it happened. Branagh even went on to say that he thinks the studio has been thinking about it. The first film was produced by 20th Century Fox, and now that Disney owns the studio it will be interesting to see how they proceed. This seems like a perfect franchise for Disney to continue to produce. Of course, if the franchise doesn't make any money they won't have any issues pulling the plug on it
Over the course of her writing career, Christie published 73 novels, 28 short story books, and 16 plays. The character Hercule Poirot, who Branagh plays in the films, showed up in 33 of the novels, over 50 short stories, and also appeared in one play. Some of the other characters she played with include the elderly amateur detective Miss Marple and the crime-solving team of Tommy and Tuppence.
There are so many great stories and characters to play with. Even if they never crossover with each other, it would still be a fun world to continue to explore in multiple films.
Would you like to see Branagh build an Agatha Christie universe?