Michael Caine Leading Sci-Fi “Henry V”

If you've always felt that Shakespeare maybe lacked a little something, like, say, lasers, here comes a film adaptation of "Henry V" that should put a bounce in your step.

Michael Caine is leading a fine cast for action/sci-fi version of the Bard's play about Prince Hal, tweeted Production Weekly (by way of The Playlist).

What madness be this, you ask? Here's the official synopsis from Darclight Films:

In an age of apocalypse, in a land without a leader, a dissolute prince finds redemption when he crushes a rebellion that threatens to destroy his father's kingdom. But upon assuming the throne himself, he immediately engineers a war against a neighboring state to slake his lust for power.

Despite his enemy possessing weaponry rendering their forces almost invincible, the newly crowned king seizes a glorious victory from the jaws of defeat by ruthlessness and cunning. But for all his wiles there's one thing the young monarch has overlooked. Just as he's prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure victory, so is his enemy...

Joining Caine will be Ray Winstone, Gerard Depardieu, Derek Jacobi and former soccer goon-turned action "star" Vinnie Jones in the film being written by Andrew Hislop, Steve Wilkinson, Michael Anderson--who is also directing-- and produced by Steve Wilkinson, Stephen Evans ("The Madness of King George," "Henry V" (1989)) Nigel Wooll ("GI Jane").

Though it has a rather fetching poster, the film is far from shooting, and may yet never happen, but its fun to talk about it. And before you all go rolling your eyes at Shakespeare With Laser Beams!, let's remember that Sir Ian McKellan's pre-WW II -era "Richard III" was pretty damn good, and then ask yourself, Are tanks any dumber than lasers?

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