The 54-year-old Northern-Irish actor will play the role of detective Hercule Poirot in the movie, said The Hollywood Reporter.
In the 1974 film version of the novel, Albert Finney played Poirot, and went to bag best actor Oscar nomination.
Poirot, the Belgian detective, is one of Christie's most famous characters, appearing in 33 of her novels.
Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg, Mark Gordon and Branagh are producing the film.
Michael Green of "Blade Runner 2" is writing the screenplay, with Steve Asbell overseeing the production for Fox Studios.