Jennifer Connelly climbs aboard TNT’s Snowpiercer pilot

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Not long ago, we got word that DOCTOR STRANGE helmer Scott Derrickson would direct the pilot for TNT's planned adaptation of Bong Joon-Ho's SNOWPIERCER. Today, we've learned that LABYRINTH, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, and HULK actress Jennifer Connelly has signed on to star opposite Daveed Diggs in the futuristic sci-fi thriller based on the "weird as shit" graphic novel series Le Transperceneige by writers Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette (and later continued by writer Bejamin Legrand, who replaced Lob on the final volumes of the series).

The pilot episode, which is set to have a runtime of 1 hour will take place seven years after the world has become a desolate, frozen wasteland, and the remaining members of humanity are made to survive while riding aboard a gigantic, perpetually chugging train that orbits the globe. Throughout the story of SNOWPIERCER, several themes are explored, from issues such as class warfare, social injustice and the ins-and-outs of survival among the few that are left breathing after the wintery apocalypse.

In what is a rare TV appearance for Connelly, the Oscar winning actress is set to star as Melanie Cavill, a First Class passenger who works as the Voice of the Train – responsible for making the daily announcements over its PA system. Though many in her VIP position are dismissive of the lower class passengers, Melanie is curiously fascinated by them. Diggs plays Layton Well, a prisoner who becomes a reluctant participant in a struggle that could upend life on the train.

Ah, so it appears as if Connelly's character may end up being the chink in the armor of the train's strict and regimented routine. One thing's for sure, I wouldn't want to be riding at the back end of that locomotively-based deathtrap. Furthermore, Connelly can soon be seen in the firefighter drama GRANITE MOUNTAIN, with Josh Brolin, Miles Teller and Jeff Bridges, as well as in the Robert Rodriguez-directed, James Cameron-produced sci-fi epic ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, with Michelle Rodriguez, Mahershala Ali and Christoph Waltz.

Schedulinng for the filming of the SNOWPIERCER pilot has yet to be announced at this time, though with Connelly and Diggs now cast in major roles, I would suspect that we'll be hearing of sometime soon.

Connelly's latest film to be released was AMERICAN PASTORAL, which was released on October 21, 2016 and can be viewed on Digital, DVD, and Blu-Ray formats now.