Adeel Akhtar Joins Wright's "Pan"

The Wrap reports that "Four Lions" co-star Adeel Akhtar has been cast as Smee in the reimagining of J. M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" called “Pan”.

The project is described as Peter Pan by way of "Batman Begins" in  a story exploring the origins of the character and how he came to be the boy who never grew up. In this incarnation, an orphan is taken to the magical world of Neverland where he becomes the savior of the natives and leads a rebellion against evil pirates. 

Hugh Jackman would play the evil pirate captain Blackbeard. The studio had gone to Javier Bardem for the role but the actor passed and then started courting Jackman shortly after that. Garrett Hedlund beat out Jack Huston and Ezra Miller for the role of Hook. In this version, Hook is one of Pan's allies who ultimately ends up turning against him - ultimately becoming the villain Captain Hook.

The studio had gone to Javier Bardem for the Blackbeard role but the actor passed and then started courting Jackman shortly after that.

 Smee is the pirate who serves as the right-hand man of Captain Hook

 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara will play Tiger Lily. Mara beat out both 12 Years a Slave's Lupita Nyong'o and Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Color) for the role.

 A young boy between the ages of 10 and 12 is being sought for the title role.

Jason Fuchs ("Ice Age: Continental Drift") wrote the script from which "Atonement" and "Hanna" filmmaker Joe Wright is set to helm.

"Arrow" showrunner Greg Berlanti is producing the pic.

Filming begins shortly. Pan took Man Of Steel 2's original release date of July 17, 2015.

The project is not to be confused with various Pan-related film in the pipeline including the Channing Tatum-led Pan or "The Hunger Games" director Gary Ross' "Peter And The Starcatchers".