Brett Ratner is *still* making movies? Really? I am a little surprised this man has not yet managed to ruin his career and alienate everyone in the industry through his various television appearances/ interviews where he displays zero class with his misogynist exploits, douchebaggery, and completely assholic tendencies towards those he has worked with. Nevertheless, he is directing a new adaptation of the classic tale of Hercules and it recently updated its casting list.
The Hollywood Reporter says that Ian McShane has joined the cast in the role of Amphiarus. The character is described as being part priest, part prophet and part warrior who is Hercules’ counselor. Other cast members announced include Joseph Fiennes, John Hurt, and Rebecca Ferguson, though their roles in the project have yet to be released.
These new actors join Rufus Sewell as Autolycus, Aksel Hennie as Tydeus, and Dwayne Johnson as the titular Hercules.
This project is actually being adapted from the Radical Publishing “Hercules” comic books. The comic book series consists of two tales, “The Thracian Wars” and “The Knives of Kush,” both written by Steve Moore with art by Cris Bolsin.
“The Thracian Wars” is officially described as follows:
Fourteen-hundred years ago, a tormented soul walked the Earth that was neither man nor god. Hercules, powerful son of the god king Zeus, received nothing but suffering his entire life. After twelve arduous labors and the loss of his family, this dark, world-weary soul turned his back on the gods, finding his only solace in bloody battle. Over the years he warmed to the company of six similar souls, their only bond being their love of fighting and the presence of death. These men and woman never question where, why, or whom they go to fight; only how much they will be paid. Knowing this, the King of Thrace has hired these mercenaries to train his men to become the greatest army of all time. Hercules begins to question King Cotys’ motives when he takes his army out to battle and sees them practice on innocent men, women, and children of their neighbors. Deep in his soul something stirs, but is it enough to stop a mad king and his army of the damned from marching across Greece – or even Olympus itself?!
Hercules will be co-produced between MGM and Paramount Pictures. MGM’s Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Jonathan Glickman will produce with Peter Berg and his Film 44 partner Sarah Aubrey, as well as Barry Levine of Radical Pictures, whose Jesse Berger will executive produce. The screenplay for the adaptation was written by Ryan Condol.
Hercules is setto hit theaters July 25, 2014.