James Hong is the latest name to join the cast of Universal Pictures’ supernatural action film R.I.P.D. (short for “Rest In Peace Department”). The Hollywood Reporter has word that the actor will play Grandpa Chen, the “avatar” of Ryan Reynolds’ character that he uses to connect with the living world.
The project, based on Peter Lenkov’s Dark Horse comic about a police department of the dead, will be directed by Robert Schwentke (RED) and will feature the team-up of Reynolds and Jeff Bridges. Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi are writing the screenplay with Mike Richardson, founder and President of Dark Horse, producing alongside Lawrence Gordon and Neal Moritz.
A well known character actor, Hong has appeared in hundreds of projects. He’s best known to genre fans for roles in Blade Runner and Big Trouble in Little China.
R.I.P.D. is scheduled to begin production soon, planning a June 28, 2012 release.
(Photo Credit: John Cronise / WENN.com)
