Laurence Fishburne to join "Contagion"

Movie News

Laurence Fishburne to join "Contagion"

By our guest blogger, Matthew Jussim

Steven Soderbergh's pandemic thriller "Contagion" has just added yet another big name to its already excellent ensemble cast: Laurence Fishbourne.

Currently starring in "Predators," Fishburne will play a doctor according to Variety and will join the likes of Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marion Cotillard and Jude Law on the film.

"Contagion" is based on a script penned by Scott Z. Burns and revolves around the threat posed by a deadly disease, with multiple plotlines in the style of Soderbergh's "Traffic."

Soderbergh's developed the project with producing partner Gregory Jacobs while Participant Media is co-financing and producing along with Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher of Double Feature Films.

Fishburne's schedule for "Contagion" had to be worked out to mesh with his commitments to the lead role in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." Either way, I'm glad it did because Fishbourne is a great actor, and adding him to the already stacked cast is only a positive move.

Soderbergh should have no trouble juggling multiple big name actors and storylines considering he has done that so many times in his career already. I have high hopes for this film--I think "Traffic" is one of the best films of the last decade and I hope that he can recreate a feel on this film as he did with that one.

"Contagion" is set for release on Oct. 21, 2011.