After starring in the blockbusterLord of the RingsandHobbittrilogies forPeter Jackson,Hugo Weavingis reuniting with the filmmaker once again. The actor has signed on to star in Universal Pictures and Media Rights Capital’s highly-anticipated adaptation ofMortal Engines, joining a cast that includesRobbie Sheehan,Rohan Raftery,Hera HilmarandStephen Lang.Peter Jacksonis only writing and producing this adaptation though, with his longtime visual effects collaboratorChristian Riversset to make his feature directorial debut.
Varietybroke the news on this casting earlier today, although there was no word on who the actor is playing. Subsequent reports have revealed thatHugo Weavingis playing Valentine, which is likely the Thaddeus Valentine character from the originalPhilip Reevenovels. In the books, Thaddeus Valentine is a Historian, who, in serves thispost-apocalyptic worldby collecting and preserving artifacts, which most often can be incredibly dangerous. Valentine is often idolized by younger historians, although he has a secret life most aren’t aware of.
Mortal Enginesis set in a world many thousands of years in the future. Earth’s cities now roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for ever diminishing resources. On one of these massive Traction Cities,Tom Natsworthyhas an unexpected encounter with a mysterious young woman from the Outlands who will change the course of his life forever. The story is largely set in London, where the population has been divided into four major guilds, along with numerous minor guilds. The four major guilds are the Historians, the Navigators, who are responsible for steering the course of London, the Merchants, who run the local economy, and the Engineers, who are responsible for keeping the machines running that are necessary for the city’s survival.
Christian Riversis directing from a script written byPeter Jackson,Fran WalshandPhilippa Boyens.Peter Jacksonand his wifeFran Walshfirst optioned theMortal Enginesnovel from Scholastic back in 2001, and they have been active in the project’s development ever since.Peter JacksonandFran Walshwill produce withZane Weiner,Amanda WalkerandDeborah Forte.Ken Kamins, who serves as the longtime manager for all of the writers and took the project to Media Rights Capital, will serve as executive producer withPhilippa Boyens. Universal has already set a June 02, 2025 release date, which doesn’t have any direct competition, but falls a week before Sony’s animatedSpider-Manmovie and Warner Bros.‘Aquaman.
Christian Riversstarted his career as a digital artist forPeter Jackson’s Weta Digital, working on the 1997 sci-fi filmContact. He moved on to work withPeter Jacksonon his sprawlingfantasy adaptationofThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringas a visual effects art director, along withThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towersas a pre-visualization supervisor andThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kingas a visual effects conceptual designer. He also worked as an animation director onPeter Jackson’sKing Kong, a visual effects supervisor onThe Lovely Bonesand a previsualization supervisor onThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. He was then promoted as a splinter unit director on The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug} and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, while also serving as a second unit director on last year’sPete’s Dragon.Hugo Weavingmost recently starred inHacksaw Ridge, and he will next be seen inJasper Jones. Hopefully we’ll have more casting news forMortal Enginessoon.
