Back in 2018, it was reported by Deadline that Netflix and AGBO would team-up was developing a new type of vigilante superhero film with Dope director Rick Famuyiwa and a script from screenwriter T.J. Fixman. The Russo Brothers would also produce the project.
Rick recently directed an episode of Star Wars series The Mandalorian and had once been attached to direct the long-delayed Flash movie before leaving over “creative differences”.
A new casting grid with character breakdowns posted by Daniel Richtman suggests that Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator, True Lies, Predator) could be instead be taking that lead role of Frank Northcutt aka Midnight along with Wonder Woman/Star Trek actor Chris Pine wanted for the role of NYPD Detective Scott Mercer, as the pair of franchise actors are listed as potential casting additions.
There is also a brief synopsis for Past Midnight which you can check out below.
Frank Northcutt aka Midnight (Schwarzenegger) is a former superhero who serving a 65-year sentence for vigilantism and is released to help the NYPD’s Scott Mercer (Pine) help track down his arch-nemesis, who has returned from the dead.
Arnold and Chris have yet to be confirmed for talks.
Previous reports suggested that John Wick and Matrix actor Keanu Reeves would be taking the lead role but his name doesn’t appear anywhere on this new casting grid. He may have left the project entirely unless he’s wanted to play the villain, who is oddly missing from the character breakdowns. Reeves’ prior commitments to The Matrix 4 and John Wick: Chapter 4 could be a solid reason for his potential exit from the project.
Interesting enough, director Rick Famuyiwa isn’t mentioned on the grid either and Michael Diliberti (30 Minutes or Less) is mentioned as the current screenwriter on the film taking over duties from T.J. Fixman.
Schwarzenegger had been recently linked for a supporting role in the next Expendables film The Expendables: A Christmas Story, which would focus on Jason Statham’s character Lee Christmas. McG had also revealed not too long ago he was developing a True Lies revival series for Disney+ with the expectation that Arnold and Jamie Lee Curtis would reprise their roles.
Chris Pine is expected to be seen next in Wonder Woman 1984, that’s if the film releases on August 14th as the film recently moved to that new date, while Warner Bros. seems optimistic they’ll still have a summer movie season.
SOURCE: DANIEL RICHTMAN
