Renny Harlin to direct The Northman

Variety has made the following report regarding Renny Harlin directing a Viking inspired film. Sounds good as long we get a good action filck. It seems to be a popular thing now to do films based in the past. So far Troy, Gladiator and King Arthur have all done it. I guess Vikings are the only thing left to use. Then they will have to remake them.

"Renny Harlin, who reshot "Exorcist: The Beginning" for Morgan Creek Prods., will helm "The Northmen" for the shingle. Universal Pictures will distribute the film domestically and Morgan Creek Intl. will handle overseas.

The historical epic concerns two Viking brothers, heirs to their clan's throne, who both fall in love with a kidnapped English princess.

Sean O'Keefe and Will Staples are writing the screenplay. They also wrote "King Tut," which Roland Emmerich will direct.

"It has been my dream for 15 years to make a movie about Vikings," Harlin said. "Being Scandinavian, I have grown up with that folklore and think that this project offers a unique opportunity to tell a compelling story without sacrificing the aspects of beauty and complexity that were so inherent to the ancient Viking society.""

Source: Variety