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Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes set for Clash of the Titans
Actors will face off as Zeus and Hades in a new remake of the hit 1981 Greek myths epic
Gods and monsters ... Liam Neeson will step into Laurence Olivier's sandals as Zeus in the new Clash of the Titans. Photographs: Vince Bucci/Getty and Cinetext/Allstar
Ben Child
@BenChildGeek
Thu 9 Apr 2009 07.50 EDT
Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes look set to play feuding Greek gods Zeus and Hades in a new remake of 80s sword-and-sandal epic Clash of the Titans, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Louis Leterrier, who made the critically-panned The Incredible Hulk last year, is directing the new take on the adventures of Perseus, the son of Zeus, who once again must battle snake-haired Medusa and the Kraken in order to rescue the Princess Andromeda.
Sam Worthington has already signed on to play Perseus, with Gemma Arterton taking on the new role of Io, a priestess who in the myths is seduced by Zeus before being turned into a cow. Alexa Davalos and Mads Mikkelsen are also on board as Andromeda and Draco, a skilled fighter who accompanies Perseus.
Neeson is playing Zeus, the wise and mighty king of the gods who was portrayed by Laurence Olivier in Desmond Davis's 1981 film, while Fiennes is in final negotiations to play Hades, the ruler of the underworld, who seeks to usurp his rival. The film will be the first new project for Neeson since the death of his wife Natasha Richardson, although negotiations began prior to her skiing accident last month.
Clash of the Titans begins shooting in the UK later this month and is currently scheduled for a March 2010 release date. The original film, which was stop-motion animation legend Ray Harryhausen's movie swansong, was the 11th highest grossing film of 1981 in the US.