Ben Walker Is Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

 

Ben Walker, who was originally cast as Henry McCoy in X-Men: First Class but had to leave the project due to other commitments, has made up for his withdrawal from the comic book movie with a very different high profile role: none other than the vampire-hunting 16th President of the United States himself, Abraham Lincoln.

Deadline reports that Walker has signed on for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, director Timur Bekmambetov’s adaptation of the Seth Grahame-Smith novel. The film focuses on the untold history of Abe Lincoln’s time as a vampire slayer, showcasing the President’s little-known axe-throwing and heart-staking skills. In landing the role, Walker beat out a competitive list of actors that included Adrien Brody and Josh Lucas.

Interestingly enough, this isn’t Walker’s first time playing a real U.S. President with a unique twist. The actor is best known for playing the titular role in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, a musical that redefines the country’s seventh President.