The Beast: Samuel L. Jackson in Talks to Play US President in Action Thriller

According to Deadline, Marvel vet Samuel L. Jackson and Suicide Squad star Joel Kinnaman are in negotiations to portray the leading roles in the upcoming independent action thriller titled The Beast. The project was able to obtain an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, which allowed it to continue with its pre-production during the ongoing actors strike.

Should Jackson continue to sign onto the movie, the Pulp Fiction star would be playing the U.S. President, who gets stuck inside the titular presidential limousine described as an impenetrable tank armed with lots of weapons. As for Kinnaman, he would take on the role of Secret Service agent Taft.

What to expect in The Beast?

“When a militia of unidentified hostiles coordinates a coup against the U.S., the president uncovers the extent of The Beast’s highly classified offensive capabilities,” reads the synopsis. “Separated from his wife, the president must learn to control The Beast — and the monster inside himself — in order to save his life, the life of Secret Service agent Taft and America.”

The Beast is directed by James Madigan (The Meg) from a screenplay written by Umair Aleem. The film is produced by Keith Kjarval, Fifth Season, John Logan Pierson, and Peter Berg along with Wayne Marc Godfrey and Nicki Cortese. It hails from Unified Pictures, Fifth Season, and Film 44 production.

Jackson most recently reprise his iconic role as Nick Fury in Disney+’s Secret Invasion series. He will once again star in another Marvel Studios project in the form of The Marvels, where he’ll reunite with Captain Marvel co-star Brie Larson. Jackson will also next be seen in The Kill Room, Argylle, and The Piano Lesson.