The Girl on the Train just might be the new Gone Girl. Both have that creepy psychological thriller vibe with a twist, both are best-selling books, and the former is following in the latter’s footsteps by getting a feature film adaptation. DreamWorks is still in the midst of solidifying its main cast around Emily Blunt as said “girl on the train,” but Captain America himself, Chris Evans, has reportedly dropped out of negotiations. His role will instead go to Justin Theroux.
The Hollywood Reporter states that The Leftovers star is in negotiations to play the role of Tom, the ex-husband of Blunt’s character, Rachel Watson. A scheduling conflict, which can often arise during talks, was the source for Evans’ dismissal (he'll be busy shooting Marc Webb's drama Gifted), but all the more good news for Theroux. He’ll join a cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson as Tom’s current wife Anna, Haley Bennett and Jared Leto the couple Rachel spots from the train, and Edgar Ramirez as Dr. Kamal Abdic.
Tate Taylor (The Help) directs The Girl on the Train from a script penned by Erin Cressida Wilson, while Marc Platt is attached as a producer. The film doesn’t currently have a release date, but given the massive success of the book — it sold more than 3 million copies seven months past its release — we should expect an announcement soon.
[Update: Disney has announced that the film will be released on October 7, 2016. That places it against the drama The Accountant starring Ben Affleck, the superhero flick Gambit starring Channing Tatum, and the family film Monster High.]
Here’s the plot of the novel via Amazon:
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?
