An Emmy-winning actor has been cast in Mark Wahlberg's crime-thriller By Any Means. The movie will be based on the Black List script CI34 by Sascha Penn, which is itself based on the true story of a hitman covertly hired by the FBI who was partnered with a Black agent to hunt down those murdering civil rights leaders in 1960s Mississippi. Not much is known about the full plot or the specific characters, but the movie has cast a big name alongside Wahlberg.

Per Deadline, Aquaman star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has closed a deal to appear alongside Oscar nominee Wahlberg in the crime-thriller. He will replace This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown, who was forced to leave the project on of scheduling conflicts. No further casting details have been revealed, but Hammerstone Studios, Thunder Road, North.Five.Six., and Freedom Principle are set to produce the project, alongside Wahlberg and his Closest to the Hole Productions.

What Abdul-Mateen II's Casting Means For By Any Means

The Actor Brings Pedigree & Talent To A Project That Could Be Weighty

By Any Means looks to be a crime thriller that has something to say, and the storyline involving the murder of civil rights leaders in the Deep South is one that could provide a weighty narrative to explore. This makes an actor of Abdul-Mateen II's caliber a great choice for the part, and his on-screen dynamic with Wahlberg could prove to be one of the strongest elements of the movie. Assuming Abdul-Mateen II is playing the FBI agent and Wahlberg is the hitman, the two will need good onscreen chemistry to sell the intense relationship that surely forms between the two characters.

While Abdul-Mateen II is certainly a prominent actor, he has arguably not yet attained leading-man status on the big screen, save for perhaps his role in 2021's Candyman.

Abdul-Mateen II is well-known for roles in Candyman and Black Mirror, and he won a Primetime Emmy for his role as Doctor Manhattan in HBO's Watchmen limited series. He is next expected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, taking the lead role in the TV miniseries Wonder Man. Having starred in projects including The Trial of the Chicago 7, Ambulance, and All Day and a Night, Abdul-Mateen II is no stranger to the crime genre, and his experience could help him bring a lot to the role.

Our Take On Abdul-Mateen II's Casting

The Movie Could Catapult The Actor To Leading Man Status

While Abdul-Mateen II is certainly a prominent actor, he has arguably not yet attained leading-man status on the big screen, save for perhaps his role in 2021's Candyman. This could all change with By Any Means, and a co-starring role alongside Wahlberg might well be just the project that helps him to establish himself as a prominent Hollywood leading man. One thing that is certain is that he will bring depth and intrigue to his character, and help to make By Any Means a more engaging and memorable project.

Source: Deadline