Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt, Rebecca Ferguson and Aksel Hennie have all joined the cast of Paramount and MGM's "Hercules," an upcoming film based on the myth (and a graphic novel). Brett Ratner will direct the film, which will star Dwayne Johnson as the eponymous hero.
Paramount and MGM will co-produce “Hercules,” an adaptation of Radical Studio's graphic novel "Hercules: The Thracian Wars," a reimagining of the classic tale. Ryan Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos wrote the script for the film, which Paramount signed on to co-produce in November. The two studios have since announced the new film will open July 25, 2014.
“We are thrilled to surround Dwayne with an ensemble cast featuring legendary actors as well as some of the finest emerging talents working today,” Jonathan Glickman, presdent of MGM's motion picture group, said in a statement. “We are anxious to get production underway on what promises to be a high-action film that works around the globe.”
It marks the second original film for MGM since it emerged from bankruptcy, following "The Machine," a film starring Vin Diesel that wil begin produciton later this year. The studio had a strong year in 2012 thanks to existing properties "The Hobbit" and "Skyfall."
McShane, who won a Golden Globe for his work on HBO's "Deadwood," can be seen now in "Jack the Giant Slayer." Sewell last appeared in "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" while Fiennes, best known for "Shakespeare in Love," starred in season two of "American Horror Story." Hurt (above), an iconic British actor with multiple awards to his name, last appeared in "Jayne Mansfield's Car."
Beau Flynn, Barry Levine and Ratner are producing the film.
