Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley to Star in 'The Thursday Murder Club' Film

Richard Osman, the author of the bestselling mystery book series 'The Thursday Murder Club,' has announced the star-studded cast for the upcoming film adaptation. Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Sir Ben Kingsley will play three of the four main characters in the movie, which is set to begin production this summer in England.

Osman revealed the casting news on his podcast, expressing his excitement about the "insanely great" cast. Mirren will portray Elizabeth Best, a former spy, while Kingsley will play Ibrahim Arif, a retired psychiatrist. Brosnan, a former James Bond actor, will take on the role of Ron Ritchie, a left-wing bruiser and ex-trade union official. The fourth member of the Thursday Murder Club, Joyce Meadowcroft, a retired nurse, has not yet been cast.

The film adaptation will be directed by Chris Columbus, known for his work on the first two Harry Potter movies and other popular films. Steven Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment, is behind the project, which was the subject of an intense bidding war for the film rights.

Why this matters: The Thursday Murder Club series has been a global phenomenon, with the first book becoming the fastest-selling adult crime debut in recorded history. The film adaptation, with its all-star cast and acclaimed director, is poised to bring the beloved characters to life on the big screen, potentially reaching an even wider audience.

'The Thursday Murder Club' follows a group of retirees in a fictional Kentish town who meet weekly to investigate unsolved crimes. When a local property developer is murdered, the club members find themselves in the middle of a real-life case. The book series has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, with a fifth installment planned for release next year.

Filming for the movie is scheduled to take place from the end of June through September 2024. While a release date has not yet been confirmed, Osman expressed his confidence in the project, stating, "I'm so thrilled that the cast is so incredible, and I can't wait for people to see what they're going to do with it."

Key Takeaways

• Richard Osman's 'The Thursday Murder Club' book series is being adapted into a film.
• Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Sir Ben Kingsley will star in the movie.
• The film will be directed by Chris Columbus and produced by Amblin Entertainment.
• The book series has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and a 5th installment is planned.
• Filming is scheduled from June to September 2024, but a release date is not yet confirmed.