A Reacher star joins the cast of Russell Crowe’s new Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy. Adapted from David E. Hoffman’s best-selling book about the real-life story of Adolf Tolkachev, the upcoming period drama will be directed by BAFTA Award winner Amma Asante, with Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan revising the script by Ben August. Industry’s Harry Lawtey is also set to headline alongside Crowe.

Per ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Billion Dollar Spy has cast Willa Fitzgerald as Mae, the wife of CIA agent Tom Lenihan (Lawtey). The movie follows Tolkachev (Crowe), a Soviet electronics engineer who pᴀssed on top-secret military intelligence to the CIA. Tolkachev’s attempt was initially rejected by the agency until he allied with Lenihan, and together, the two men became pivotal in shifting the balance of power. Walden Media, Weed Road Pictures, and Pioneer Stillking Films are producing the тιтle, with Jane Hooks serving as an executive producer.

What Willa Fitzgerald’s Casting Means For Billion Dollar Spy

The Project Is In Active Pre-Production

Armie Hammer and Mads Mikkelsen were initially cast to headline the Asante thriller in 2020, but Hammer was dropped from the project after Sєxual abuse allegations and a police investigation. It wasn’t until recently that more progress was made. Billion Dollar Spy is currently in pre-production, and Fitzgerald’s casting means the project is moving forward. While Fitzgerald is the third cast member now linked to the new Cold War thriller, more information will come to light as Crowe’s movie gears up for production.

Fitzgerald plays police officer Roscoe Conklin in Reacher season 1 and can also be seen in the Scream television series, Strange Darling, Royal Pains, and the miniseries Little Women. She is set to star in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2019 novel Regretting You alongside Allison Williams, Dave Franco, and Mckenna Grace. From playing the main protagonist in a slasher series to a young woman searching for answers about her biological father in a medical drama, Fitzgerald has proven to be a versatile actor and will be a great addition to Billion Dollar Spy.

Our Take On Willa Fitzgerald’s Casting

Her Character Could Be Crucial In Billion Dollar Spy

It’s currently unknown how big a role Fitzgerald’s character plays in the main events in Billion Dollar Spy, but it’s certainly something to look forward to. In the movie, both Lenihan and Tolkachev are taking risks by working with each other. Tolkachev is essentially working against his own country, while Lenihan is aligning with the man his agency repeatedly rejected working with. This will put Fitzgerald’s Mae in a difficult position.

As Lenihan’s wife, Fitzgerald’s character could potentially play a very important role in the dangerous mission, even though she may not be in the forefront of the story like her husband or Crowe’s protagonist. Willa Fitzgerald is brilliant in Strange Darling and her many other projects. Her casting certainly makes Billion Dollar Spy something to look forward to.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline