Captain America star Chris Evans seemed like he would be joining Emily Blunt in the movie adaptation of The Girl on the Train. However, he eventually dropped out and was replaced by The LeftoversJustin Theroux. In a funny turn of events, another Evans has come in to replace one of the other leading gents as filming begins in the Big Apple.

Revealed today by The Hollywood Reporter, Luke Evans of Fast and Furious 6 has come aboard to relieve Jared Leto of his commitment. The Suicide Squad actor was originally pegged to portray the on-screen husband to Haley Bennett’s character, but a scheduling issue prevented the deal from closing. Lucky for Evans, who made career strides with the Furious and Hobbit franchises, as well as in the upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast adaptation.


Meanwhile, filming has commenced in New York City, where Blunt was spotted in character as Rachel, said “girl on the train.” Journalist Katie Couric and a bystander snapped photos of the actress on the set.

Fun to see Emily Blunt filming Girl on the Train in NYC this am! #lherandNYC A photo posted by Katie Couric (@katiecouric) on

Tate Taylor (The Help) is directing The Girl on the Train, which also features Rebecca Ferguson, Edgar Ramirez, and the recently cast Lisa Kudrow. More and more this film is looking like the new Gone Girl. Not only is there a similar psychological thriller edge to the story, but DreamWorks set the film for release on October 7, 2016, eerily close to Gone Girl’s theatrical debut back on October 3, 2014.

Here’s the official plot description of the book from author Paula Hawkinswebsite:

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?


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Image via Amazon