Jamie Bell, Mark Strong – one of Empire’s favourite actors – and the so-hot-right-now Channing Tatum have all signed on to star in Eagle Of The Ninth, the Kevin Macdonald movie that sounds like it should be a golf movie, but is actually an epic murder-mystery set during Roman times.
Tatum, fresh from his G.I. Joe exploits, will play a young centurion named Marcus Aquila who is sent by Rome to the Scottish mountains to investigate the disappearance of the Ninth Legion. The investigation is particularly personal for Marcus, as his father was in charge of the Ninth.
Bell will play Marcus’ Celtic servant, but there’s no word yet on who Strong will play. Although, judging by his recent track record, we’ll be flabbergasted if he doesn’t turn out to be the bad guy.
Donald Sutherland has also joined the cast of a movie that’s already shooting in Hungary, and on which we’re keeping a keen eye. Macdonald has proved, with State Of Play and The Last King Of Scotland, that he’s got a handle on modern thrillers. We’re eager to see how he fares on his first foray into what appears to be Ridley Scott territory.
Focus Features and Film4 are funding the project, which is produced by Duncan Kenworthy.