Considering what 300 did for his career, was it a foregone conclusion that at some point Gerard Butler was going to end up in something else based on sandals an loincloths? Maybe yes, maybe no. Regardless, Butler has just signed on to Coriolanus, which is the directorial debut of co-star Ralph Fiennes. The project is described as a contemporary version of Shakespeare’s Rome-set political and family
drama.
Butler will play Tullus Aufidius, commander of the Volscian army
from Shakespeare’s play. He joins a cast that includes William
Hurt, Eddie Marsan, Jessica Chastain and Vanessa Redgrave.
No word if it will be in Shakespearean in modern times ala Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet or modern English. Project is being repped by Icon Entertainment at AFM. John Logan (The Last Samurai) scripted the drama, which is due to start shooting in Serbia in March. Meanwhile, Butler, who is currently in Law Abiding Citizen, has Andy Tennant’s actioner The Bounty with Jennifer Aniston and How To Train Your Dragon upcoming.