Gerard Butler to Cry “This is CORIOLANUS!”

I, for one, love these lesser known Shakespeare tragedies that get adapted to the feature film world.   TITUS was an amazing film that got under-appreciated when it hits theaters in 1999.   Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Gerard Butler, who is no stranger to playing tragic heroes, is set to star opposite Ralph Fiennes in CORIOLANUS.   The film, to be Fiennes directorial debut, will be a contemporary look at the classic tale of two, rival, Roman soldiers.

Butler joins not only Fiennes but also William Hurt, Eddie Marsan, Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave.   Fiennes plays the titular character, so you know things are going to end up messy for him.   Butler, on the other hand, plays the second lead, so his chances of survival in a Shakespearean tragedy are slightly better, though still not great.

CORIOLANUS is set to begin shooting in March.