Another good break for a member of THE WIRE. Deadline has reported that Idris Elba (aka Stringer Bell of THE WIRE, THE LOSERS) will play Dr. Alex Cross in the film version of James Patterson’s CROSS. Morgan Freeman previously played Cross in KISS THE GIRLS and ALONG CAME A SPIDER.
Alex Cross was a rising star in the Washington, DC, Police Department when an unknown shooter gunned down his wife, Maria, in front of him. The killer was never found, and the case turned cold, filed among the unsolved drive-bys in D.C.’s rough neighborhoods.
Years later, still haunted by his wife’s death, Cross is making a bold move in his life. Now a free agent from the police and the FBI, he’s set up practice as a psychologist once again. His life with Nana Mama, Damon, Jannie, and little Alex is finally getting in order. He even has a chance at a new love.
Then Cross’s former partner, John Sampson, calls in a favor. He is tracking a serial rapist in Georgetown, one whose brutal modus operandi recalls a case Sampson and Cross worked together years earlier. When the case reveals a connection to Maria’s death, Cross latches on for the most urgent and terrifying ride of his life.
Kerry Williamson wrote the screenplay. Williamson has no films completed as of yet, but is the screenwriter for the upcoming Kay Scarpetta film that will star Angelina Jolie and wrote the script for the next Alexander Paiyne film
David Twohy is directing and will be rewriting the screenplay. Twohy handling writing duties for G.I. JANE, THE FUGITIVE and WATERWORLD, but came to fame as the writer/director of PITCH BLACK. He followed it up with the second Riddick film as well as A PERFECT GETAWAY. While I loved PITCH BLACK, I have not seen anything else from him that has me thinking this is a good move.
Good casting choice. He'll make an interesting Cross.
I think he could be an excellent Cross, I just question putting it in the hands of Twohy.