Movie Casting News: Keira Knightley to star in 'Jack Ryan' Reboot with Chris Pine and Kenneth Branagh!

First of all, let me just say that I love all the Jack Ryan series of films that starred Harrison Ford (Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger), Alec Baldwin (The Hunt for Red October), and Ben Affleck (The Sum of All Fears) in that order and hearing the news that they're doing a reboot (like Hollywood has been doing a lot lately)..I thought what? another one when are they gonna come up with something new and original? lol...'cause those previous films for JR were already great. But then, again, if they can come up with something good for the reboot or prequel to update a previous successful franchise/series of films I already loved and enjoyed. I really don't mind...like for instance, the recently released the X-Men: First Class film and the Batman trilogy. Now, those were very well done. Also, if they have a great cast and story...I most definitely welcome a remake, prequel, or reboot of any films already done in the past as long as they are made really, really, really great like Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice and (hopefully another great one) like the upcoming Anna Karenina (which I look forward to seeing in November) films.

Anyway, speaking of Jack Ryan, Hollywood Reporter reports that Keira Knightley has won the female lead role of Dr. Caroline "Cathy" Ryan (famously played by Anne Archer...also Bridget Moynahan played the younger Dr. Cathy Muller in Ben Affleck's movie). Jack Ryan's wife. Keira was one of the 3 actresses considered for the wife role along with Felicity Jones (Northanger Abbey) and Evangeline Lilly (Lost). She's said to be in negotiations to star opposite Chris Pine (Star Trek). Oh, this looks interesting with the main cast alone like Chris Pine, Keira, and Kenneth Branagh (he's doing a double duty playing the villain and directing this film too)! And of course, Chris Pine and Keira Knightley would make a cute pairing in this film...wow!

Here's the article from Hollywood Reporter...

EXCLUSIVE: Keira Knightley Wins Female Lead in 'Jack Ryan'

Keira Knightley is in negotiations to star opposite Chris Pine in Paramount's franchise hopeful Jack Ryan, sources close to the film tell The Hollywood Reporter.

Knightley is no stranger to the world of franchises, having starred in the three of Disney's four Pirates of the Caribbean films.

The film would mark the first teaming for Knightley and director Kenneth Branagh, who also has a supporting role in the film. Although the two often inhabit the same world of Brit period corset dramas, they've never worked together. Branagh auditioned a number of women for the part two weeks ago -- including Lost's Evangeline Lilly and Like Crazy's Felicity Jones -- before re-engaging Knightley, who Paramount initially approached.

The story centers on ex-Marine and Moscow-based financial analyst Jack Ryan (Pine), who uncovers a plot by his employer to finance a terrorist attack designed to collapse the U.S. economy. Ryan must race against time to save America and his wife (Knightley).

The film is a prequel to Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series of books, which produced previous movies starring Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. Adam Cozad and Anthony Peckham wrote the screenplay, while David Koepp penned the most recent draft.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura is producing alongside Mace Neufeld and David Barron. David Ellison is exec producing the film, which is scheduled to begin shooting next month.

Knightley, whose recent credits include Seeking a Friend for the End of the World opposite Steve Carell, next will be seen in the period drama Anna Karenina.

She is repped by WME and United Agents.