Two join Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut

William Hurt, Jessica Chastain starring in 'Coriolanus'

By Stuart Kemp

May 16, 2009, 11:30 AM ET

More Cannes coverage

CANNES -- William Hurt and Jessica Chastain have signed up to star in Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut, "Coriolanus," alongside Vanessa Redgrave.

But none of the talent will be donning sandals or unsheathing swords in this adaption of Shakespeare's Roman tragedy.

Billed as a political thriller, John Logan's script brings the story into a contemporary setting and is set to begin shooting in spring 2010, the makers said.

Fiennes is in Cannes this week pressing the flesh alongside producers Julia Taylor-Stanley (Artemis Films) and Gabrielle Tana (Magnolia Mae Films) while the movie is being repped internationally by Icon Entertainment International. The picture will shoot on location in Serbia.

Fiennes developed the film after playing "Coriolanus" in London's Almeida Theatre.

Separately, Icon saidthat Jim Loach's "Oranges and Sunshine" is flying out the door, selling to Diaphana for France, Odeon for Greece and Lusomundo for Portugal.  

Two join Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut

William Hurt, Jessica Chastain starring in 'Coriolanus'

By Stuart Kemp

May 16, 2009, 11:30 AM ET