Some more buzz recently about another ancient epic film now in production--The Last Legion--based on a novel by Valerio Manfredi [cf. the RogueClassicist's passing mention here]; the movie is apparently now in the process of being filmed in Tunisia: this article mentions it as one of Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai's fingers in the Hollywood pie; at Alexander Siddig's website, there is a synopsis:
Part fact, part legend, THE LAST LEGION is an epic adventure based on acclaimed author Valerio Massimo Manfredi's international best-selling 2003 novel of the same name. The film is set against the fall of the Roman Empire in 470AD and its last emperor, 12-year-old Romulus Augustus (Thomas Sangster).
Over-run with rebellion, Rome is a city on the brink of chaos and destruction. Imprisoned by rebels on the island-fortress of Capri, Romulus, aided by the clever strategies of his teacher Ambrosinus (Sir Ben Kingsley) and the heroic skills of his legionnaire Aurelius (Colin Firth), escape the island. Despite the turbulent events around them, this small band of Roman soldiers, accompanied by Byzantine warrior Mira (Aishwarya Rai), are determined to continue their mission to restore the Empire. This resolute group sets out on an arduous and dangerous trek for Britannia in search of the Last Legion, in their bid to make one final stand for Rome.
Directed by Doug Lefler, The Last Legion is a Dino De Laurentiis presentation produced by Martha De Laurentiis and Raffaella De Laurentiis. It is also being produced with Quinta Communications’ Tarak Ben Ammar and British co-producers Chris Curling and Phil Robertson of Zephyr Films.
The site also has a list of cast members, including Ben Kingsley and Colin Firth. Here's the account at DarkHorizons.com. Filming is supposed to move to Slovakia, and be complete at the end of October.
Oh, and here's the entry on Romulus Augustulus at De Imperatoribus Romanis...
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