JAMES MARSDEN - MARSDEN IN THE BOX

MARSDEN IN THE BOX

James Marsden's career resurgence is to continue with a starring role in upcoming horror movie The Box, it has emerged.

After his character Cyclops was tossed aside without a blink in Brett Ratner's disappointing X Men 3: The Last Stand, Marsden confused audiences with an impressively sympathetic turn as Kal-El's love rival in Superman Returns.

And after hilarious - and musically surprising - turns in Hairspray and new Disney comedy Enchanted, the Hollywood Reporter has revealed another promising role for the Oklahoman actor.

Marsden is to star alongside Cameron Diaz and Frank Langella in Richard Kelly's The Box, the trade paper has reported, starring as Arthur Lewis, the unhappily married husband of Diaz's Norma.

Based on Richard Matheson's short story Button, Button, Kelly's long-mooted project tells of a couple disturbed by a strange old man (Langella) who gives them a mysterious box with the power to bring them piles of money - with the caveat that someone they know will lose their life should they push the fateful button.

When their poor health of their young son leaves the couple little option but to abuse the box's power, a guilty Norma sets out to solve a murder for which she believes she was responsible.

Donnie Darko director Kelly is to finally follow his breakthrough hit with the long-delayed Southland Tales - starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Smith and The Rock - on December 7th.