OK, so Doomsday was a slight, if enjoyable, misstep, but otherwise, we’re got a soft spot for Neil Marshall, one of the few British directors out there with skill to match his ambition. Which is why we’re glad to see that he’s put a nice little cast together for his next film, the Roman epic, Centurion.
Michael Fassbender – so hot right now as a result of his turn in Hunger and his forthcoming role in** Inglourious Basterds** – has signed on, along with Quantum Of Solace’s leading lady, Olga Kurylenko and Dominic West, who shall forever be given a pass for his involvement in The Wire.
Fassbender, who got his abs out to great effect in 300, will play Quintus Dias, the sole survivor of an attack on a Roman fortress by savage Picts (tribes who lived in what would become Scotland) in A.D. 117. Under orders to wipe out the Picts and their leader, Gorlacon, Quintus journeys north with the legendary Ninth Legion and their leader, General Virilus. Cue much bloody mayhem – if we don’t see at least one decapitation, we’ll be sorely disappointed.
Marshall, as is his wont, also wrote Centurion, which will be produced by Christian Colson. It sounds a little more akin to a Roman Doomsday than, say, Dog Soldiers or The Descent, but either way, we’re looking forward to this one.