Gugu Mbatha-Raw joins 'Free State of Jones'; 'Deadpool' adds TJ Miller and Ed Skrein

 2014 was basically the year of Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The British actress, who got her cinematic career started in Larry Crowne, wowed audiences in both the period drama Belle and the music world romance Beyond the Lights. Now she's set to join Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey in the Civil War film, Free State of Jones. Directed by Gary Ross and based on a true story, it follows soldier Newton Knight who rebelled against the Confederacy during WWII and attempted to establish the "Free State of Jones" in Mississippi. McConaughey takes the lead role while Mbatha-Raw will play a slave named Rachel who forms a relationship with Knight. [TheWrap]

20th Century Fox's X-men universe is growing, and while fans are eager for The Wolverine 2 and X-men: Apocalypse, there's also a Gambit film on the way and the forever-developing Deadpool starring Ryan Reynolds. Deadpool already promises to be a wild, mouthy, R-rated bonanza but it promises to be even funnier now that TJ Miller (Big Hero 6, Silicon Valley) is joining the cast. Miller will be joined by Ed Skrein (Game of Thrones) in the anti-hero flick about the infamous "merc with a mouth" who debuted on-screen in X-men Origins: Wolverine. Miller's role is said to be a comedic one, which isn't much of a surprise, and for me I can only hope he takes on the role of Deadpool's beleaguered weapons dude, Weasel. Skrein could be up for the villain, although there's no word on what character that could be. [TheWrap]

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'Game of Thrones' Star Ed Skrein Replaces Jason Statham in 'Transporter' Reboot

It's never easy to try and replace an actor who has become synonomous with a particular franchise, but that's what Luc Besson was forced to do for his reboot of the popular Transporter series. Jason Statham has long been the face of the action pics, but with plans to delve into the lead character's origins a new face was necessary. And now Variety reports that new star has been found in Ed Skrein, best known for his role in Game of Thrones.

Skrein, who played Stormcrow Daario Naharis in season three of the popular HBO series, will take over the Frank Martin role that Statham made famous, in a French Riviera-set story that will explore Frank's relationship with his father. Bill Collage and Adam Cooper are penning the script with Camille Delamarre (Brick Mansions) coming aboard to direct and Besson producing this potential new trilogy.

Skrein certainly has the look for the role, and his schedule should be free since his Game of Thrones part will be played by another in season four. A "prominent" talent is being sought to play Frank's father, so expect news on that to drop soon as production is to begin in June.

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