Ralph Fiennes Gets Shakespearean With 3 New Banners For 'Coriolanus'

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by Simon Dang
December 12, 2011 10:42 AM
2 Comments

In case you missed the first couple of memos, this isn't exactly your grandmother's Shakespeare.

Three new character banners have been unveiled by The Weinstein Company for Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut, a reimagining of William Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" which combines modern warfare (aided by the work of "The Hurt Locker" and "Green Zone" cinematographer Barry Ackroyd) and classic Shakespearean language, courtesy of a script by John Logan ("Gladiator").

As well as helming, Fiennes also plays the titular character in a strong cast that includes Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Chastain, Gerard Butler, Brian Cox and James Nesbitt. Word had originally pegged the film as a potential Oscar wildcard, especially the performance of Redgrave as Coriolanus' mother Volumnia, though that seems a bit far off now. Our own review described the flick as a "an assured film from an actor who nonetheless clearly demonstrates he knows that it takes more than just the art of acting to create a work of cinematic art" -- a sentiment which seemingly comes across in these self-assured character banners.

The film is currently playing in limited release in New York and Los Angeles and will go into wide release on January 20th. [via FirstShowing]

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More: Ralph Fiennes, Coriolanus, Gerard Butler, Jessica Chastain, Vanessa Redgrave

2 Comments

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bobmorton | December 12, 2011 11:21 AMReply

too bad most people will read "for your voices i have fought" in yoda's voice.
Travis Hopson | December 12, 2011 11:02 AMReply

If it wasn't such a crowded field already I'd have considered nominating him for Best Director. Coriolanus is a remarkable film, powerful and meaningful, with a number of great performances. Even Gerard Butler is halfway decent. Better than in Machine Gun Preacher, anyway.