Something about Benjamin Walker just screams "noble savior."
The titular star of the upcoming zombie history spoof, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," Deadline reports that Walker's next role will take him from the United States' Civil War to the great Angelic War, as he is close to nabbing the part of the Archangel Michael in the upcoming big screen adaptation of John Milton's epic poem, "Paradise Lost."
Once he signs the dotted line, Walker will join Bradley Cooper in what promises to be a visually breathtaking motion-capture film. Cooper, as he confirmed to The Huffington Post, is due to play the role of the rebelling and fallen angel Lucifer, who leads an army against God's own forces. Walker's Archangel Michael, once Lucifer's great friend, helps leads God's forces in the war with the rebel devil, clashing with Lucifer and slashing him with a sword designed by the heavenly father.
"His deal isn't closed yet, but I think there's a wonderful duality about Ben's persona, this combination of great strength and perfect innocence that works so well for Michael," director Alex Proyas told Deadline.
Cooper is beyond excited for the role.
"We’ve been doing motion capture tests all of this week," he told BleedingCool.com in a recent interview. "It’s full on, the deals are done. We’re testing out different rigs. We did this one scene where Lucifer lands and talks to the minions. Alex Proyas is wonderful… it’s exciting. We start shooting in January. I can’t wait."
Aside from "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," Walker starred on Broadway in the revival of "Inherit The Wind," and the hit, "Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson," and has had small roles in major films "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Kinsey," in which he depicted the lead as a young man. He's led, "The War Boys," an immigration drama with Peter Gallagher, and played a role in the Daniel Boone TV movie, "Westward!"
Here's the official log line for "Paradise Lost"; click over to /Film for concept art, and Deadline for more on the casting.
Lucifer and Michael, God’s greatest archangels, share the bond of extraordinary friendship until God produces his greatest creation: Man. Unable to remain subservient to God if it means bowing down to humanity, Lucifer begins his dark descent and is cast out – only to plot his revenge.