Dennis Haysbert Replaces Michael Clarke Duncan In ‘Sin City 2’

Actor Dennis Haysbert will join the cast of Sin City 2, filling the role played in the original by the late Michael Clarke Duncan.

24 star Haysbert has stepped up to replace Duncan in the long-delayed Sin City sequel, following the latter’s tragic death earlier this year. In the original 2005 film, Duncan played the mercenary “Manute,” and was set to reprise this role in the upcoming sequel.

Casting officials working on the sequel, titled Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, have decided to press on without Duncan, even though his character is integral to the plot of the film. In his stead, they have decided to cast Hasybert, best known for portraying President David Palmer in Kiefer Sutherland’s hit TV drama, and for those AllState commercials.

The film’s co-directors Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez said in a statement:

“Manute is a character that has been part of the heart of the Sin City tales, and the late Michael Clarke Duncan beautifully established that role onscreen. We could not tell the story of Sin City: A Dame to Kill For without Manute and are thrilled to welcome Dennis Haysbert to the cast.”

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For will star Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, and Mickey Rourke (reprising their roles from the first film) while Clive Owen will return as the main protagonist, Dwight. The character of Dwight goes through facial reconstruction surgery during the course of the story (after which he will be played by Owen) though the pre-surgery version of him has not yet been cast.

Also, Devon Aoki will not return as Miho, instead passing the role to Jamie Chung. The role of Shellie, played in the 2005 film by Brittany Murphy, has also not yet been re-cast. Brittany Murphy passed away in 2009, before production began on Sin City 2.

Do you think that Dennis Haysbert is a good choice to fill Michael Clarke Duncan’s role in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For?