Irrfan Khan, Gerard Depardieu, and Adil Hussain have all joined Life of Pi -- you know, that movie based on that book by Yann Martel about the kid who travels across the Pacific Ocean in a life boat with a Bengal Tiger. Variety reports that Khan will play an adult Pi, Hussain stars as Pi's father, and Depardieu takes the role of The Chef. Directed by Ang Lee, the movie already stars newcomer Suraj Sharma as Pi and Bollywood actress Tabu is in talks to play his mother.
As a lover of the book, I endorse these casting announcements. Khan is an experienced actor who plays a very solid "wise-man" role, and that's the type of person I've always pictured the grown Pi as. And Depardieu? That dude (see left) looks terrifying -- like, I-better-not-let-my-nephews-near-him type terrifying, which is perfect, because The Chef is one scary motherfucker.
Anyway, there's still no word if Tony the Tiger will accept his offer for the Bengal Tiger.
Source: Variety