Taron Egerton has been cast to replace Oscar Isaac in the forthcoming crime thriller Kockroach, set against the backdrop of New York City’s underworld. The film, blending crime drama with Kafkaesque elements, will also feature Channing Tatum and Zazie Beetz in prominent roles. Egerton‘s involvement marks a major shift in the project’s casting as filming prepares to begin early next year.
About Kockroach: Plot, Production, and Creative Team
Kockroach is director Matt Ross’s first film since his 2016 work on Captain Fantastic. The movie adapts William Lashner’s 2007 novel, originally written under the pseudonym Tyler Knox. The screenplay adaptation comes from Jonathan Ames, with revisions contributed by Ross himself. Producers Andrew Lazar and Kevin Frakes are overseeing the production, which is scheduled to commence in February in Australia.
The story centers on a mysterious stranger who rises through New York’s criminal hierarchy, transforming into a powerful and ominous figure within the city’s underground. This narrative promises a bold, boundary-pushing take on the gangster genre, drawing inspiration from classic crime films.
Key Behind-the-Scenes Contributors and Production Details
Among the notable members of the creative team are Academy Award-winning production designer Colin Gibson, cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, and visual effects supervisor Jonathan Dearing. Andrew Lazar praised the lineup:
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Taron to ‘Kockroach’ and to see him team up with Channing and Zazie in this fresh and bold take on the gangster genre,”
Lazar said. He further added,
“Under the extraordinary talent of director Matt Ross, ‘Kockroach’ will push boundaries and expectations in the same ways as such seminal films as Scarface and Goodfellas. I’m also thrilled to see our incredible creative team coming together. Academy Award-winning production designer Colin Gibson, DP Adam Arkapaw, and VFX Supervisor Jonathan Dearing.”
Taron Egerton’s Recent and Upcoming Projects
Egerton arrives at Kockroach following his roles in productions such as She Rides Shotgun and Smoke, a series adapted from Dennis Lehane’s work for Apple TV+. He also gained recognition for his performance in Carry-On, which quietly became a sleeper hit on Netflix late last year. Looking forward, Egerton’s slate includes the survival thriller Apex, starring opposite Charlize Theron, as well as the London-based dating thriller Everybody Wants To F*ck Me alongside Jessica Henwick.
Project Timeline and Anticipated Release
Shooting for Kockroach is expected to begin in early 2025, with production taking place in Australia. Given the scope and scale of the film, a theatrical release is anticipated no sooner than 2027. The movie aims to offer a fresh perspective on the gangster genre through its Kafka-influenced narrative and intense character transformations, positioning it as a highly anticipated title among crime thriller enthusiasts.
