Tom Tykwer’s upcoming adaptation of Dave Eggers’ A Hologram For The King – first published in 2012 – has finalized its cast list as the film begins production in Morocco.
The commitment of Tom Hanks to the lead role had previously been announced, but it is now confirmed that he will be joined by Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Omar Elba (Intelligence), Tracey Fairaway (Enough Said), David Menkin (Zero Dark Thirty), and Tom Skerritt (Ted).
Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, Cloud Atlas) adapted the bestselling novel himself, which is a comedy-drama set within an up-and-coming Saudi Arabian city. In the film, American businessman Alan Clay (Tom Hanks) mounts a final attempt to ward off bankruptcy, while simultaneously trying to finance his daughter’s college education and finally achieve something significant with his life. His desperate plan involves recouping his losses by travelling to Saudi Arabia and selling an idea to a wealthy and influential royal figure.
The author of the source novel, Dave Eggers – who also wrote the screenplay for 2009’s Where The Wild Things Are, and the film Away We Go that same year – will serve as executive producer for this adaptation. Coming together to produce with him are Uwe Schott and Stefan Arndt of X Filme Creative Pool; Arcadiy Golubovich and Timothy D O’Hair of Primeridian; and Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman of Playtone. Silver Reel Entertainment and Fabrica De Cine are also associated with the project.
Principal photography for A Hologram For The King is now underway in Morocco, before the production moves on to Germany. The shoot is expected to last until June 2014, but no potential release schedule has been indicated yet.
We’ll keep you posted when we hear more.