Jack Ryan has found his wife.
Keira Knightley has landed the coveted role of Ryan’s spouse in Paramount’s planned reboot of Tom Clancy’s popular spy franchise, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The trade says Knightley edged out Like Crazy beauty Felicity Jones and Evangeline Lilly (from ABC’s Lost) to win the part.
What do we know about the project? Kenneth Branagh will direct the as-yet-untitled picture, which casts Star Trek standout Chris Pine as a younger version of Clancy’s hero, Ryan. (Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Alec Baldwin all have played Ryan in previous films).
The plot of this prequel finds Ryan attempting to stop a terrorist group from unleashing a plot that would decimate our nation’s financial infrastructure. Knightley will play Cathy Ryan, a part once occupied by Anne Archer in Ford's two Ryan thrillers.
Knightley, of course, is no stranger to massive-budget franchise pics, having appeared in the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies alongside Johnny Depp. At the time of the Jack Ryan casting rumors, it was believed that whomever Paramount selected for this film might have to sign on for three total pictures. Perhaps Knightley saw something in the character – or the direction of the possible franchise – that appealed to her? Maybe she just wanted to work for Branagh, or act alongside Pine?
Either way, another domino falls in favor of the Jack Ryan reboot, which means we’re getting closer to a potential start date. What do you think of Knightley’s casting, Clancy fans? Let us know.
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