Jack Whitehall Enters Negotiations for Fox’s Mouse Guard
A few days after adding British comedian Samson Kayo to its cast, Fox’s upcoming adaptation of the graphic novel series Mouse Guard has expanded its all-star cast with the addition of another British comedian, Jack Whitehall, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Whitehall is set to portray Kenzie, a staff-wielding Grayfur who knows how to remain calm and collected at all times. Kenzie is usually seen together with Kayo’s Saxson, a partnership that is being compared to the comedic Han Solo and Chewbacca relationship.
Based on the graphic novels, Mouse Guard will follow the titular order of mice who act as the protectors of a mystical medieval world from foes ranging from predators including foxes and eagles, as well as other evil rodents. Idris Elba (Hobbs & Shaw) stars as Celanawe, an Obi-Wan mentor-like figure. Celanawe was previously a legendary champion who was believed to have vanished a long time ago. Andy Serkis (Black Panther) will play Midnight, the Guard’s blacksmith who turns against the group and becomes the antagonist of the story while Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Maze Runner: The Death Cure) will take on the role of Lieam, one of the order’s newest and youngest members who will have to step up and prove his worth early into his adventurer career.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story scribe Gary Whitta will pen the screenplay for the Mouse Guard movie, which sees Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves producing. Reeves’ own Sixth & Idaho company will produce along with Mouse Guard publisher Boom! Studios’ Ross Richie and Stephen Christy. The film will be a Maze Runner reunion between Brodie-Sangster, who starred in all three films as one of the main characters, Newt, and director Wes Ball, who made his feature directorial debut with the blockbuster adaptation trilogy at Fox that garnered nearly $1 billion across its three films.
On the series official website, creator David Petersen has previously revealed he wanted a film adaptation “to be done correctly,” hoping to see a final product in keeping with the series all-ages material and that it would be a CG heavy film, and it appears he’s getting his wish. Following the success of Disney’s The Jungle Book, the studio is eager to make a live-action version of the film albeit with CG characters via performance capture.
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In the world of Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper amongst harsh conditions and a host of predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed: more than just soldiers, they are guides for common mice looking to journey without confrontation from one village to another. They see to their duty with fearless dedication so that they may not simply exist but truly live.