Variety reports that Tobey Maguire has “committed” to joining the small cast

Variety reports that Tobey Maguire has “committed” to joining the small cast of Ang Lee’s adaptation of Yann Martel’s bestselling/prizewinning novel Life of Pi. The book is about a boy who is cast adrift in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. 17-year-old newcomer Suraj Sharma will play Pi Patel. How will Maguire fit into this? Slumdog Millionaire star Irrfan Khan will play the adult Pi, while Maguire is set to play a writer who interviews him about his life-changing experience. So it’s more of a bit role, but it will still be interesting to see him in this.

Life of Pi is being directed in 3D by Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee, who last directed the indie drama Taking Woodstock. He’s working from a screenplay adapted by David Magee (Finding Neverland, Miss Pettigrew), while Gil Netter and David Womark are producing.