Ralph Fiennes is ready to take on the arduous task of producing, directing and starring in a modern version of Shakespeare's Roman tragedy, Coriolanus. Fiennes will tackle the lead role of Gaius Martius Coriolanus and Gerard Butler, hot off starring in and producing Law Abiding Citizen, will play General Tullus Aufidius of the Volscian army, a sworn enemy of Gaius Martius.William Hurt and Vanessa Redgrave are also on board Fiennes' directorial debut. John Logan (The Aviator, The Last Samurai) adapted the screenplay. The Hollywood Reporter says filming is expected to begin in March in Serbia.
Shakespeare's tale follows one of Rome's greatest soldiers, Coriolanus, whose political aspirations are thwarted by two tribunes, Brutus and Sicinius. Banished from Rome after he rails against the system, Coriolanus joins with Rome's enemies, the Volscians. Fighting beside his former enemy Tullus Aufidius, Coriolanus and the Volscian army march on Rome. But after Coriolanus' mother, Volumnia, begs her son to stop the attack, Coriolanus ends the march and makes peace with Rome. This is taken as a betrayal of their agreement by Aufidius, and that betrayal costs Coriolanus his life.
Gerard Butler recently completed work on the action comedy The Bounty opposite Jennifer Aniston. Ralph Fiennes has been keeping busy with Clash of the Titans, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, Cemetery Junction, and the final Harry Potter films: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 & Part 2.
(Exclusive Photo by Richard Chavez)
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