Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, and Pierce Brosnan to Star in Film Adaptation of Richard Osman's 'The Thursday Murder Club'

Richard Osman, the bestselling author of 'The Thursday Murder Club' novel series, has announced the main cast members for the upcoming film adaptation of his debut book. The star-studded cast will feature Dame Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best, an ex-spy, Sir Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim Arif, a former psychiatrist, and Pierce Brosnan as Ron Ritchie, a former union activist.

The film, which will be directed by Chris Columbus, known for his work on 'Home Alone', 'Mrs. Doubtfire', and the first two 'Harry Potter' movies, is set to begin production in England from the end of June through September 2023. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, which secured the rights to the film in a competitive auction, will be producing the movie.

Osman's novel, which was the fastest-selling adult crime debut in recorded history, follows a group of retirees living in a sleepy English village who join forces to investigate unsolved murders. The book has spawned three more novels, with a fifth installment planned for release next year. The series has sold over 10 million copies globally.

Why this matters: The film adaptation of 'The Thursday Murder Club' brings together a cast of highly acclaimed actors and a renowned director, promising to deliver an engaging and thrilling mystery movie experience. The success of Osman's novel series and its transition to the big screen highlights the growing popularity of cozy crime fiction and its appeal to a wide audience.

While the casting of three of the four main characters has been revealed, negotiations are still ongoing for the role of Joyce Meadowcroft, the fourth member of the titular club. "I'm so excited to be working with Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Pierce Brosnan on the film adaptation of 'The Thursday Murder Club'," Osman shared in a statement. "With Chris Columbus at the helm and Amblin Entertainment producing, I know the movie will be a faithful and thrilling portrayal of the characters and story that readers have come to love."

Key Takeaways

• Richard Osman's 'The Thursday Murder Club' novel to be adapted into a film.
• Star-studded cast includes Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley, and Pierce Brosnan.
• Directed by Chris Columbus, produced by Amblin Entertainment.
• Novel was fastest-selling adult crime debut, spawned 4 sequels.
• Highlights growing popularity of cozy crime fiction genre.