The 'Flags of Our Fathers' actor allegedly beats out the likes of Adrien Brody and Timothy Olyphant to take the titular role in the horror thriller.
- Jan 28, 2011
AceShowbiz - 20th Century Fox found the figure of Abe in Benjamin Walker. The 28-year-old actor has signed up to tackle the lead role in "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" after his name appeared on the short list that included Adrien Brody, Timothy Olyphant, Josh Lucas, James D'Arcy and Oliver Jackson-Cohen.
Despite the fact that he is less known than Brody or Lucas, Walker reportedly elbowed his way to the front of the line in the screen tests that took place earlier this month. And he is chosen to play the famed president from the age of 20 to 55, from boyish and lanky to skilled fighter to middle-aged with trademarked beard.
Another important role in the film is Henry Sturges who trains Abe in the ways of vampire hunting. Tom Hardy was wanted for the part but he eventually signed up to portray Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises", leaving the part open.
Based on period vampire novel from Seth Graham-Smith, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" sees the 16th president of the U.S. learning that his mother was killed by a supernatural predator. Taking revenge, Lincoln becomes an axe-throwing, highly accomplished killer of vampires and their slave-owning allies.
Timur Bekmambetov is set to direct the film and produce it along with Tim Burton and Jim Lemley. Seth Grahame-Smith writes the script of the horror thriller that is projected to come out on June 6, 2012.
Benjamin Walker is best known for his portrayal of Andrew Jackson in the Off- and On Broadway incarnations of "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson", in addition to landing role in "Kinsey". Back in June 2010, he was cast as Hank McCoy aka Beast in "X-Men: First Class" but he later dropped out to reprise his role in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson".
