There are at least two Knives Out sequels on route, but none of them will (presumably) feature one of the big attractions of the first: sweater king Chris Evans. As reported by Deadline, the former Steve Rogers and surprise chest tattoo lord is in talks to play famed hoofer Gene Kelly in a film produced by Knives Out mavens Rian Johnson and fellow producer Ram Bergman, according to Deadline.
The as-yet-untitled production won’t, however, be a direct biography on the Golden Age movie star. Here’s how Deadline explains the plot, whose script is reportedly be penned by Gladiator and Skyfall scribe John Logan: “The film is about a 12-year-old youngster who works on the MGM Lot in 1952 and begins to build an imaginary friendship with the iconic movie star Kelly while working on his next picture.”
Singin’ in the Rain, which portrayed Hollywood’s oft-disastrous transition from the silent age to synch sound but in a joyful manner, complete with one killer number after another, was released in 1952, the year Kelly starred and co-directed one of his most memorable triumphs.
Kelly was a quadruple threat: a dancer, a singer, an actor, and a film director, who helped take the movie musical in new, thrilling, and sophisticated ways. Luckily, Evans is no stranger to tap dancing, and he’s even directed a film, so he’s part of the way there. In the meanwhile, he’ll act alongside Ana de Armas in the romantic adventure film Ghosted, which reunites him with another Knives Out alum.
