Kenneth Branagh sports Poirot’s famous facial hair on the set of A Haunting in Venice
Kenneth Branagh was seen filming scenes for his third adaptation of Agatha Christie’s A Haunting in Venice in the Italian city on Friday.
The 62-year-old Oscar winner, who plays the iconic detective Hercule Poirot in the film as well as directing, could be seen donning the character’s period costume.
He also sported facial hair again in the role, following his appearance in 2017’s Murder On the Orient Express and 2022’s Death On The Nile, after co-star Jamie Dornan described the waxed mustache as “intimidating”.
On set: Kenneth Branagh, 62, was seen filming scenes for his third adaptation of Agatha Christie’s A Haunting in Venice in the Italian city on Friday.
Kenneth wore a long navy double-breasted coat that was layered over a smart shirt and red silk tie.
The costume was completed with leather gloves and a homburg hat, as well as the detective’s iconic cane.
The Oscar winner could be seen filming scenes on the rooftop, above the Clock Tower in Piazza San Marco, before his stand led him to a gondola.
Feeling inferior: He once again sported facial hair in the role, following his appearance in 2017’s Murder On the Orient Express and 2022’s Death On The Nile, after co-star Jamie Dornan (pictured) described the waxed mustache and the beard as “intimidating”.
Filming: The Oscar winner could be seen filming scenes on the rooftop, above the Clock Tower in Piazza San Marco
Speaking on Friday’s The Graham Norton Show, co-star Jamie said: “I felt so insecure and inferior all the time because his mustache was amazing.”
‘[Kenneth’s facial hair is] the best in movie history as Poirot, whereas mine was a small attempt at one.
Jamie said it was “so different” to act alongside the Oscar winner, having previously been directed by him in Belfast in 2021.
Detective: Speaking on Friday’s The Graham Norton Show, co-star Jamie said: “I felt so insecure and inferior the whole time because his mustache was amazing (Kenneth pictured in 2017’s Murder On The Orient Express)
Suave: Kenneth wore a long navy double-breasted coat which he layered over a dressy shirt and red silk tie (pictured without facial hair)
Jamie will also once again star alongside 12-year-old Jude Hill, who played his son in the Irish film.
He said: ‘I love that boy so much. Even though he’s a star now, he’s still the sweetest kid.
The star-studded cast also includes Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Camille Cottin, Kelly Reilly, and Riccardo Scamarico.
Double: His stand in then led to a gondola and filmed scenes
The project began production in November at Pinewood Studios in London, ahead of location work in Venice, Italy, and is expected to hit theaters in September.
The story will be an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1969 novel Hallowe’en Party, set in post-World War II Venice on Halloween.
The story follows Poirot, who is now retired and living in self-imposed exile, before he is lured away to solve another mystery.
Scenes: The film crew captured the scene from afar with wonderful views of the city.
Preparation: They seemed to be meticulously preparing shots.
Poirot reluctantly attends a séance in a haunted palace when one of the guests is murdered, and the former detective must once again find out who did it.
“This is a fantastic development of the Hercule Poirot character, as well as the Agatha Christie franchise,” Branagh said in a statement.
“Based on a complex and little-known mystery set on Halloween in a pictorially stunning city, this is an incredible opportunity for us as filmmakers, and we’re relishing the chance to deliver something truly spooky for our loyal movie audience.” ‘ he added.
New role: Jamie (right) said it was “so different” to act opposite the Oscar winner (left) after previously being directed by him in 2021’s Belfast (pictured together in 2021)