JamesPurefoy

Fantasy fans, get ready--Robert E. Howard's Solomon Kane may be heading to movie theatres after all thanks to the folks at Lionsgate. The film received enthusiastic buzz on the festival circuit (I saw it at Fantastic Fest this year and thought it was a well-made piece of kick-ass pulp fiction), but its fate was uncertain until Lionsgate's purchase of the $40 million indie at the American Film Market.

The film stars James Purefoy as Solomon Kane, a bloodthirsty soldier during the Eilzabethan Era who changes his ways when an encounter with a wraith leads him to believe that he's damned himself to hell. His new vow of peace is soon brought into question as a demonic presence terrorizes the countryside. Michael J. Bassett (Deathwatch) wrote and directed the stylish dark fantasy, creating an interesting origin story for Robert E. Howard's character. Lionsgate has not made any formal announcement regarding Solomon Kane's eventual release (whether it's opening wide theatrically or going straight to DVD). It's certainly good enough to deserve a theatrical release, but their marketing team will have their work cut out for them trying to sell the character to the public on his own merits, especially when he's a dead ringer for Hugh Jackman in Van Helsing. See for yourself; you can watch the trailer here.

(via Fangoria)

UPDATE: Thanks to a few astute friends on Twitter, we've learned (from @michaelJbassett himself) that, and I quote: "Lionsgate + Solomon Kane = not true."

By: Elisabeth Rappe

I was slightly disappointed with the initial casting of John Carter of Mars, but as Andrew Stanton keeps bringing the wonderful with every addition to the roster, I just have to trust him when it comes to his choice of Taylor Kitsch. But Stanton is sending more impressive talent to Mars, as according to The Hollywood Reporter, James Purefoy, Thomas Haden Church, and Mark Strong have joined the cast.

Purefoy will be playing Kantos Kan, the captain of the Xavarian, the grand flagship of Helium. Carter meets him in the prisons of Warhoon, and they're forced to battle in a gladitorial match. They become allies as only former gladiators can, and Kan assists him on his quest to save Mars / Barsoom. I found it difficult to picture the secondary characters in Princess of Mars, so I feel lame in saying "Purefoy is perfect as Kan!" but he'll fit the part of a seasoned naval captain. He'll be quite dashing, even. (Actually, I think Purefoy would have made a good Carter.)

Church will be playing Tal Hajus, who THR calls "a vicious Thark warrior who is determined to become king." In the books, he's a Jabba the Hut type who lusts after Princess Dejah Thoris, and is happily ensconced as a leader, so this might be one of the first big changes you'll see in the story. It would probably make things a lot more interesting to have Church play him as a capable bastard than a slobby wreck.