Period actioner IRONCLAD, the first picture from new production, financing and sales company Mythic International Ent., is nearing deals with James Purefoy and Paul Giamatti, per THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Purefoy is in negotiations to star and Giamatti is circling a role in the $30 million project directed b Jonathan English (MINOTAUR).
IRONCLAD is based on a legendary story set in 13th century England and tells the story of a formidable Knight Templar and his "Magnificent Seven" who defend the historic Rochester Castle against tyrant King John and his mercenary army.
Purefoy would play the knight to Giamatti's King John.
Richard Attenborough, Pete Postlethwaite, Angus Macfadyen and Colm Meany have already joined the project, set to start filming this fall in Europe.
Zephyr Films and Picture Park are co-producing with Mythic. Sales vet Glenn Kendrick Ackermann is selling the film at Cannes and has already closed several territories.
Mythic was launched earlier this year in the U.S. by producer Rick Benattar (SHOOT 'EM UP) and U.K. producer/attorney Andrew Curtis (LOST IN LA MANCHA). Ackermann runs the sales arm while Curtis is partner and head of legal and business affairs.
Mythic is a fully-fledged production company that develops and finances projects, providing gap financing and is currently negotiating a substantial revolving facility with Adrian Ward of National Bank of California. Two private equity groups in London and New York provide financing for the company's projects.
