Lionsgate has acquired the U.S. distribution rights for the film adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s “Solomon Kane.”
According to Fangoria, the rights were picked up at the American Film Market and may lead to “Solomon Kane” having a full theatrical release instead of just a straight-to-DVD movie. Which makes perfect since considering how freaking awesome the film looks!
Loosely based on Howard’s 1928 character about a 16th century Puritan warrior who wanders the world hunting evil and seeking monsters to slay, the contemporary version written and directed by Michael J. Bassett (“Deathwatch” and “Wilderness”) re-images Kane as a mercenary solider who converts to Puritanism in order to find redemption and is forced to confront supernatural forces.
The $40 million film stars James Purefoy as the title character who is perhaps best know for his role as Marc Anthony on old the HBO series, “Rome.”
Bassett has also reworked Kane’s backstory to introduce his heroic father Josiah Kane—played by Sydow—and a potential love interest in the form of Hurd-Wood’s character, Meredith Crowthorn.
“Solomon Kane” made its debut earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival and is hoped to be the first film of a trilogy.