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Max Von Sydow and Pete Postlethwaite are joining star James Purefoy in the cast of "Solomon Kane." Relative neophytes Rachel Hurd-Wood ("Perfume: the Story of a Murderer"), Alice Krige ("Silent Hill") and Mackenzie Crook (the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films) have also been cast, according to Paris-based producer-distributor Samuel Hadida, head of Davis Films.
Planned as the first in a trilogy, "Solomon Kane" is an epic tale of a 16th century soldier tormented by his past evil deeds, seeking redemption by battling a sinister power threatening the kingdom.
Pic is adapted from the pulp novels of Robert E. Howard, author of "Conan the Barbarian," first serialized in the 1920s and '30s.
Helmer Michael J. Bassett ("Deathwatch") will direct from his own script for co-producers Hadida ("Domino") and Paul Berrow, head of Epic Tales.
Shooting is due to begin in Prague this month.
International sales will be handled by Los Angeles-based Essential Entertainment and by Metropolitan Filmexport in France.

Despite a loyal fan following, sword and sorcery fantasy has always been a difficult genre to pull off convincingly and, as such, has largely been neglected in recent years. But with Kane we get a different sort of sword and sorcery hero, one dropped into the puritan era rather than the middle ages, and that simple change breathes new life into a tired beast. Though not a perfect film by any stretch - some of the fighting is shot too close and edited too fast while a couple of the digital effects land only just on the acceptable side of the spectrum - but it is a hugely entertaining one, one loaded with rich characters and strong players and stacks of quality set pieces. I can only hope that the producers of the soon-to-be-revived Conan franchise are paying attention to this one because Solomon Kane is one excellent primer on how to tackle Howard and make him work for today’s audiences. No theatrical release has been announced yet but seek it out when the time comes. This is a good one.

... is exactly the type of mid-range action fantasy film we need right now, something that illustrates what sharp, young directors can do with some dusted off titles and characters. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.